What do the US Election Results Mean for a Deeply Polarised America?

Upon the announcement that Joe Biden was elected as the 46th president of the United States, all of New York—and what I can only assume, most cities across the U.S.— erupted in collective cheer and relief. For the first time in over four years, I felt hopeful and excited knowing that our president-elect was someone who genuinely valued empathy, honesty, and the responsibility that comes with holding office. My friends and I didn’t take this election lightly, because we couldn’t imagine another four years as people of color in Trump’s version of America: an America where our most powerful official champions racist, sexist, and dehumanizing rhetoric and policies in favor of legitimizing a misinformed reality.

In the four elections that I’ve voted in, this win meant more than just who will become the next head of state. Rather, this election signalled a transformation in social and political priorities that I hope will address the fear, violence and silence that has been imposed on the American public in the past few years. Given how close the election results were, more than ever does the American public need political officials who are committed to providing solutions rather than division.

Diversity serves as a cornerstone of the Biden administration—nearly half of Biden’s transition team will be made up of people of color, with women representing 52% of transition staff and 53% of the Biden-Harris senior staff. With the election of Kamala Harris as vice president, she will not only be the first woman, but also the first Black and Indian American official to hold the position. Senator Harris is a product of a diverse America, and we hope she will help to usher in a new reality where we will see more representatives from historically marginalized groups who will take on pivotal roles in the decision-making process. Having a Black and Indian Vice President demonstrates that there is space for women and people of color in the political system, and that people are listening and receptive to what we have to say. Democracy depends on the tenets of protecting and valuing the human rights of all citizens, and the Biden-Harris administration is well on its way of delivering what it means to live in a true democracy. While both Biden and Harris do not have perfect political track records, they have demonstrated a commitment to tackling critical issues that affect not only Americans, but many others across the globe. They seek to not only address systemic racism, but also have provided promising platforms regarding climate change, expanding healthcare, and ending violence against women.

However, even in the midst of this victory for representation and diversity in the highest offices in the country, the Biden-Harris administration still has a long road ahead of them. The president-elect will have to navigate and appeal to a deeply polarized America in the midst of a global pandemic that was carelessly handled by his predecessor. Months prior to the election, America witnessed daily protests against racial injustice and police brutality, requiring a new response to social and political inadequacies that have for so long been pushed under the rug. Biden’s administration will have to tackle and hopefully dismantle the mindset that oppressive systems and discriminatory actions perpetuated by those in the highest offices will no longer be synonymous with the so-called “norm.” Instead, these outdated institutions and policies will hopefully become remnants of what should never have been and what should never be again.

The incoming administration does not mean that long-standing social and political issues will magically disappear. This administration serves as a reminder that we have to keep moving forward, that we need to continually inspire and uplift one another in the face of unrelenting adversity and challenges. More than anything, this election reminds us that no dream is too big, that the “American dream” truly is available to everyone regardless of their skin color, gender or sexual orientation.

Riza Kumar is WiFP’s Newsletter Coordinator.