ArcaMax

On the day after the presidential election, I saw several headlines proclaiming the result of former President Donald Trump's victory as a day of mourning, especially for Black Americans and Black women. On social media, the reactions posted from friends and others equated to being emotionally and physically drained and, in some cases, extremely despondent. I believe much of the emotional toll resulted from the taxing weight of trying to rationalize how ardent Trump supporters, when considering his 34 felony convictions finding him guilty of attempting to influence the 2016 election, could deem him worthy of leading our nation. Factor in Trump's numerous political and personal scandals, and this is not an innocuous head-scratcher. For those who labored tirelessly and worked to mobilize votes for Vice President Kamala Harris, the results are earnestly disappointing.

Exit poll data by Edison Research shows that Harris did extremely well among African American voters, winning 85% of the Black vote overall. Black women turned out strong for the vice president, with Harris receiving 91% of their support. Black men, who many thought would abandon Harris in large numbers, showed up with 77% backing her. Harris just wasn't able to garner enough support from White and Hispanic voters to eke out a victory in a tightly contested race. One Edison exit poll statistic that particularly stood out to me was that voters who evaluated both Trump and Harris unfavorably were only separated by one point, with 53% thinking negatively of Trump compared to 52% not viewing Harris positively. These numbers reveal that many Americans were not sold on either candidate, but in the case of Trump, it's a stark revelation regarding the 47% who gave him a favorable rating. It speaks volumes about how what people perceive as a decent and qualified candidate has changed. For example, if Trump had run for president 36 years ago, in the 1988 election, with the political baggage he has now, I believe voters would have judged him much differently. That year, one of the Democratic frontrunners was Gary Hart, a Colorado senator who many thought would win his party's nomination. Hart's campaign fell apart when a Miami Herald investigation discovered evidence of him having an extramarital affair. More than 20 women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct dating back to the 1970s. These allegations and numerous others of extramarital affairs have not hindered Trump in his political rise to power.

What is seriously concerning now with Trump's recent victory is the emergence of racist texts that have been sent to African American elementary and middle school kids, in addition to Black college students and professionals. The messages tell the individuals that they have been selected "to pick cotton at the nearest plantation." They are then given a specific time to be ready for the "executive slave catchers" to pick them up and take them to a plantation where they will be placed in an assigned group. The Federal Communications Commission's Enforcement Bureau is investigating the texts, and it is especially troubling that the political climate we are in encourages racists to threaten and troll people with vile messages.

Looking ahead to Trump's return to the White House, I am going to focus on what Scripture instructs Christians to do for our elected leaders, which is to pray for them. First Timothy 2:1-2 says that "all supplications, prayers, and intercessions" should be made "(for those) that are in authority." As I wrote last week regarding trusting in the sovereignty of God, I will be in prayer for Him to intervene in the decision-making of Trump and his administration. And with our toxic and polarized political atmosphere pushing those with bigotry in their hearts to taunt and spew hatred, I know that I must, as Matthew 5:44 commands, "Love (my) enemies, bless them that curse (me), and do good to them that hate (me)." I am finding peace during this time by taking refuge in the fact that my identity is not characterized by a political party but is anchored in my faith in Christ. I have not given up on the ideals of our democracy. It's just much clearer now, with all that is going on, that we need divine guidance to implement them.

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Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on X: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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