If this election goes overwhelmingly to Democratic Party candidates, it is not because a majority of people believe in bodily autonomy, or believe in a woman’s right to choose, or that black lives matter.
It does not mean that a majority believes that LGBTQIA+ people have a right to love who they love or be the person they know themselves to be.
It does not mean that people overwhelmingly support one side or the other in the war between Palestine and Israel, that they believe in stronger gun legislation here at home.
It does not mean that people have lost faith in the church, government, or even the GOP.
It does not mean that we, the citizens of the United States, have decided that the separation of church and state must be protected. It doesn’t mean that people don’t want the Ten Commandments displayed in public school classrooms or that they do want a Pride flag displayed, DEI taught in elementary schools, and an end to special interest book banning.
It does not mean that Jewish people will be safe from gun violence, religious extremism, or bigots with Nazi flags, hateful rhetoric, torches, and assault weapons.
It does not mean BIPOC people will receive aid and opportunities for financial security and growth.
It does not mean that people are standing up to corporate greed, big pharmaceutical companies, and billionaires who do not pay their fair share. It is not because we want to make sure that the homeless, elderly, and our children do not go unfed.
This election will not speak to the American people’s voice on any one issue. If the GOP loses big this election, it will not be because they attacked one group or another. It will not be because they were caught in their lies. It will not be because their hypocrisy has been exposed.
It will be all of it together. The GOP made a crucial mistake when they brought in Donald Trump and began openly attacking every minority group at once.
Their mistake was that they didn’t realize that every one of us will vote to protect our own individual interests, our own rights and freedoms. Each of us will vote to protect ourselves and those we care about from persecution and hateful rhetoric that leads to violence.
And when you add up all the votes of those in targeted minority groups that are being attacked and of those who love them, it will add up to a majority, a majority that will vote against hate.
I guess what I am saying is that an overwhelming democratic vote will not mean we as a nation are united in backing a particular group or strongly against a specific issue. It will not show that we all agree that the Democratic Party is perfect. It will only show that the GOP made the mistake of putting their long-held bigotry, misogyny, racism, religious extremism, corruption, lies, and deception on display all at once for everyone to see.
What makes America great is that we unite in times of great oppression and suffering. We work together to end injustice and persecution. We need to realize that whichever way this election goes, our work will not be done.
We are at the Hatred Tipping Point. We need to be vigilant against hatred in all forms. We need to truly unite under the banner “E Pluribus Unum,” “Out of many, one.” That does not mean assimilation or homogenization of our cultures. It does not mean we must all believe the same things or always agree.
“E Pluribus Unum” means that there is room for everyone, a place where we all belong, have agency, and are valued for our differences, not in spite of them. “Out of many, one” means that we are many cultures and beliefs, and yet we, together, form one nation.
We have learned many lessons from the past, from our victories and failures at home and abroad. We must take those lessons to heart and carry them into the future. We must learn from them and grow into better people—more caring, compassionate, and kind. We must grow into a better nation with a focus on creating true equity for all.
We must see and value the unique talents, attributes, and perspectives of each individual. We must help each other through difficult days and challenging situations.
“E Pluribus Unum” means we are a community that protects one another, cares for each other, and provides an environment where each of us can thrive, whatever that means to us.
“Out of many, one” does not mean we are all the same or that we hate the same people. It means we are family; we are in this together, and we all belong.
After the last vote has been cast and the election is decided, the real work begins.
“Out of many, one.”
~ elr
Image: ID 318721802 © Andrey Popov | Dreamstime.com