As I write this on November 6, 2024, I am heartbroken, disoriented, and disappointed. As a woman invested in politics, I often worry about being dismissed as “too emotional” in my work. I know I’m not alone, as many Americans disproportionately share the burden of constantly having to prove their worth and credibility, so today I will embrace my humility and authenticity despite these inherent doubts. It would be unproductive, even disingenuous, to strip this piece of my voice. Empathy and connection to these topics encourage me to read, write, engage, and create political initiatives. My heart aches for those directly impacted and harmed amid this administrative shift. It may feel impossible to move forward, but it is necessary to do so. The first step is recognizing our responsibility to grieve, understand, and address our emotions around this news. Embracing your heart and mind is a meaningful and unavoidable contribution to political discourse.
Given the increasingly polarized political climate in the U.S., emotion and particular passion are the foundation for modern political discourse. The extreme polarization seen today has not always been present, however. In the 1950s, the American Political Science Association sent out a report that, in short, asked for more polarization, expressing concern for Americans’ distant attitude and apathy toward politics. This is starkly different from what we see today, as polarization now plagues U.S. politics in a manner we have not seen before. While the intensified rhetoric around political issues naturally exacerbates feelings around the election, it is dangerous to perpetuate the narrative that emotion’s role in politics is a new matter.
Emotionality is not a new phenomenon, nor a matter that plagues one political party more than another. However, it is often negatively associated with the Democratic Party to underpin the conversation of social justice in political settings. But those responsive to social justice are not the only individuals acting out of emotionality. While we are encouraged to bring grace and logic to the ballot box, the multitudes of complex, nuanced policies and the anxieties surrounding the presidential election make composure nearly impossible in times like these. Confusion and hysteria obstruct individuals’ ability to comprehensively calculate their political decisions, leaving them to ask, “Does this person understand and care about people like me? And does this person share my values?”
The results of such hysteria are often drastic and, in some cases, unexpected. The next leader of the United States is an outwardly racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, convicted felon who has now been accused at least 26 times of sexual misconduct. People are scared of what the future holds, and the fact that we got to this position in the first place. Talks of impending doom, World War III, and the end of democracy are rampant among U.S. citizens; this despairing verbiage distills more passion and fear. These moments, especially when these frustrations are violent, deepen the divide between individuals and further undermine the possibility of constructive change.
It is necessary to redirect these sentiments toward the politicians whose job is to trigger emotion amid the election, as it undeniably impacts the results. Fear-mongering is a highly prevalent tactic that politicians often use. For example, Trump makes claims at heated political rallies that he is the only candidate who can prevent World War III. Given the current contentious state of the international schema, it is natural and expected for individuals to feel anxious, especially with multiple large-scale wars steeped in centuries of history continuing to rage on.
I wish to leave you with a message of hope. Humanity is not doomed, do not lose faith. Take the time to grieve. Then, become the leader you wish to see; alchemize your empathetic tendencies to create positive change in your community. Make the choice to lead with your heart. If you have the privilege of not needing to act out of survival at this moment, while others will face the harsh consequences of this presidency, it is your responsibility to engage with an optimistic lens.
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This article was edited by Matthew Santamaria and Sarah Davey.
