Why Joe Biden’s Victory Shouldn’t Be Celebrated As An Absolute Win
I made three predictions at the start of our election night watch party:
- We would not know the outcome of the election overnight, and we’d be waiting a few days- at least.
- Georgia would go blue.
- If Biden & Harris won, it would not be the massive blue-shift that some people were expecting and Donald Trump would still see a strong showing of support.
I also made an earlier prediction that Texas would go blue, but nobody’s perfect. But my 75% prediction success rate and my A-Level in politics surely qualifies as a political commentator. So here I am, giving my thoughts on the 2020 US election results.
Over the last few days I’ve seen a number of pro-Biden celebratory posts on social media, which I’m sure are well intentioned, but worry me none the less. Ejecting Trump from office is 100% a good thing in my eyes. His particular brand of politics is not for me, but his success does not surprise me. The end of his reign is absolutely a reason to celebrate. However, Joe Biden will not assume office, burn some sage in the Oval Office and bring calm to the United States. So let me summarise a few of the reasons why we should not be celebrating Joe Biden’s victory as an absolute win.
Trump Was Never The Disease
Donald Trump did not create the environment which allowed for his success, he just exploited it. The end of his presidency will not bring an end to the problems of the United States. Racism did not begin and will not end with Donald Trump.
Just like the rhetoric around the Brexit vote here in the UK emboldened racists, so too did Trump’s rise to power. He told people, through his words and actions, that they could speak without consequence. That people had to accept their beliefs and that they were undeniably right. They were the silent majority and they had been called to action.
It’s time that the United States, and every country started to face up to the ugly truth of their existence. It is only by facing up to the racism and hatred within society that we can begin to undo its damage. Trump was never the disease, he is the symptom of a broken society.
This Is Not An Endpoint
I am interested in politics on both sides of the pond but never intended to get political here. This is only my third post to the site, so obviously I am weak-willed. The posts I’ve seen on social media over the last couple of days are what prompted me to write this article.
A number of well-meaning people are posting about Joe Biden’s victory as if this was the end goal of every social justice movements over the last few years. This is simply not true. Political and social movements generally outlast administrations, and now is not the time to get complacent. Many of the demands being made during Trump’s time in office were the same demands that were made during Obama’s tenure, when Democrats controlled both the house and senate and had the opportunity to enact real change.
Real progress takes time, effort and usually, sacrifice. Assuming that this is some sort of an endpoint, rather than what it is- a period of transition- risks the momentum that has built up. It’s important to celebrate, breathe, and look after yourself- so take this moment. Enjoy it. Just remember there’s still work to be done.
No Political Party Is Your Saviour
A huge, collective sigh of relief can be breathed by millions of Americans. Hell, that sigh of relief extends around the world. Trump will soon be out. A new Democrat-led utopia is sure to be brought forth by Biden & Harris. Except we know that’s not going to happen.
Most politicians have a tendency to maintain the status quo. They’ll make good on a few manifesto promises and let others go by the wayside. Rarely do they make any progress in rebuilding broken systems. Anybody who dares to suggest a need to do more is considered a radical. But radical change is needed in so many aspects of society and politics.
Some things that shouldn’t even be considered radical, have been branded as such. The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. Granted, the majority of states have a higher minimum wage in place. But a federal minimum of $15 dollars per hour could take 1.3 million Americans out of poverty, and could dramatically reduce suicide rates.
As a Brit it baffles me that the US hasn’t adopted Medicare For All. We take the NHS for granted. There should be no suggestion that you only receive appropriate medical care if you can afford it. Access to health care and medicine should be a basic human right. The majority of Americans want Medicare For All, and yet it never materialises. I won’t argue the case that the NHS is perfect because it absolutely isn’t- but nobody should be forced to make a choice between medical bankruptcy and death.
The American prison system is run for profit. What this means is that it is in the interest of prisons to have more prisoners. More prisoners, more money. The prison-industrial complex lobbies the government to ensure a steady flow of inmates. Is it likely when paid per prisoner that prison-owning businesses are going to prioritise the rehabilitation of offenders or their own financial gain?
I could go on and on, and I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but the truth is that America’s systems are broken. Political leaders won’t fix these systems unless they are pressured to by the electorate. I don’t believe politicians get into politics because they actually want to cause harm, but I don’t think they do enough to address the issues that affect the people they serve. Democracy does not roll around every couple of years, it is constant. Politicians need to be held accountable by the people who put them in power.
Black, Asian and Latinx Voters Decided This Election
After a year in which the Black Lives Matter movement received significant coverage and support you may have assumed that the white electorate of the United States would have voted overwhelmingly for Biden & Harris. This just wasn’t the case.
58% of white male voters backed Trump in this election, and 55% of white females. Each election the votes of the Black, Asian and Latinx community are analysed. They are held responsible for deciding elections. White voters are simply given a free-pass.
Had it not been for the ballots cast by Black, Asian and Latino voters the election would have gone in Trump’s favour.
As a species, we have a pathological tendency to create binaries where they don’t exist. This may be comforting, but it’s dangerous. We decide that when someone votes Trump they are racist. By that logic anyone voting Biden must not be. We take for granted that Black, Asian and Latinx voters will back the democrats every time. This isn’t the case, and it something the Democrats seemingly fail to deal with each election.
Trump’s campaign actually worked for the Latinx vote in Florida, by appealing to their fears. Emotions win elections, not policy. Trump’s team know this and that’s why they were successful in Florida.
They understood that the Latinx populace is not a monolith. It is a collection of millions of people with different backgrounds, experiences, fears and beliefs. To assume that Latinx voters will vote as a bloc is ignorant at best.
Future elections will likely also be decided by the Black, Asian and Latinx electorate. It’s time for the Democrats to listen to them, elevate their voices and understand their concerns if they want to retain power. But it’s just as important to work to understand why the majority of white voters continued to back Trump, despite having a term in office marked by lies, golf, erratic tweets, a recession and the death of over 200,000 Americans.
Final Thoughts
To be clear, I am happy that Trump’s time in office is coming to an end. I don’t begrudge people celebrating it. It is a cause for celebration for many. What I’m worried about is the assumption that Biden & Harris will somehow unite a polarised electorate just by existing.
I am pleased that America has its first female Vice President, first Black Vice President and first Asian-American Vice President. I’m happy that the new administration may listen to science when it comes to tackling climate change and COVID-19.
There is work to be done. I am hopeful that under Biden & Harris we will see positive change for marginalised people. I believe things will get better because they have to. I am optimistic that more people will have woken up to the influence politics has on their lives and will continue to speak out on the injustices of a broken system that criminalises and kills Black people, denies people their rights and allows the Trump’s of this world to fail upwards spectacularly.
The real victory of the 2020 US election was not getting Biden & Harris into the White house. It was getting Trump Out.
Originally published at https://whatnormdidnext.com on November 8, 2020.
