For many, the re-election of former president Donald Trump came with not only shock and surprise, but also despair, especially within groups targeted by his dangerous rhetoric.
In her concession speech the day after losing the election, Vice President Kamala Harris pushed for supporters to not give up the fight to preserve democracy. Although the feelings of hopelessness and despair felt by Harris’s supporters are completely valid, they should not give up just because the election is over.
Even though Republicans won the White House and Senate -- the House of Representatives is yet to be officially called as states still count ballots -- along with many state measures, there were some wins for Democrats on election night that should not go unnoticed.
Of the ten states that had abortion measures on the ballot, seven passed protections, including in Montana and Missouri, two heavily Republican leaning states. They also passed in swing states, including Nevada and Arizona.
Other wins happened in Congress, where for the first time in history, the Senate will have two black women; Angela Alsobrooks, D-MD, and Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-DE. Also from Delaware, Sarah McBride, D-DE, the first openly transgender member of Congress was elected to the House.
Just because the election is over, the pursuit of civil rights, equality, justice and democracy should not be. On Sunday’s episode of “Last Week Tonight,” host John Oliver said in his monologue, “Despair doesn’t help anything. If anything, it makes things worse.”
Those who have come under attack from Trump have every right to be mournful of the loss of the election, but following Harris' words, the fight is not over.
After the election, the American Civil Liberties Union released a statement saying, “During the first Donald Trump administration, the ACLU fought his unlawful policies more than 400 times. We’re even more prepared now.”
Although Trump will likely use the judicial system to his advantage, organizations like the ACLU will be in the courtrooms fighting for the rights of Americans under threat from the Trump administration. States such as California and New York are also getting ready to resist the upcoming Trump administration's demands.
But one does not have to be a part of a civil rights organization to make their voice heard by the government. Contact information including both emails and phone numbers are publicly available to the offices of senators and representatives on the state and national levels. They are public officials, and should at least consider the concerns of the people they represent.
After the 2016 election, a resistance movement emerged to fight against Trump’s policies, but faded when President Joe Biden was elected. On Monday’s episode of the Vox podcast “Today Explained,” senior political reporter Christian Paz said “I imagine if mass deportations start happening, we'll see some version of a mass movement or mass protest in response.”
Although the election is over, the fight to protect democracy and civil rights for all should not stop. In fact, those who support these basic concepts should be on the front lines, protesting against the dangerous rhetoric of the Trump administration, helping others and making their voices heard to make sure they will not be silenced.
Ethan Herx is a sophomore studying photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
