The Clock Strikes Midnight
As the clock struck midnight on Sunday night, we turned the page to a new year, but also with an uncertainty we haven’t experienced in my lifetime. Most people are dissatisfied; many feel left behind, others feel like they’re unheard and are left screaming into the wind. The marginalized feel unprotected, the poor feel unloved, and decency is not a motivating factor for most.
The worrying part is that those feelings usually leave a vacuum that’s filled with despots and fascists. These are the times when nations are at a crossroads — either progressing or regressing, no in-between. We don’t have the privilege of maintaining the status quo because the status quo has been inequality, brutality, discrimination, and oppression. There are many who are willing to accept everything falling apart because they desperately want change. They are tired of being beaten down, trampled on, and then being told to deal with it. They are tired of being promised change during elections only to be told to wait their turn. They’re tired of being told an economy is doing great. I want to clarify that I’m not talking about racists or MAGA fascists. I’m talking about the many marginalized Americans who don’t root for chaos but don’t mind it because they‘ve been living in hell.
This nation is staring down the barrel of a gun, and a maniac is on the other side. One who exemplifies American values — greed, racism, bigotry, and dishonesty. Someone who only seems to gain strength the nastier he gets. Every time he is held accountable, his popularity seems to go up. We can’t be naive and think that the courts will hold him accountable because they won’t. I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, but it’s the truth, and we all know it. America won’t get the easy way out because America put itself in this position to begin with. The American people will have to decide if they want another four years of Trump.
The political landscape isn’t very encouraging either. Even if you look at polling averages, Trump has, on average, a two-point lead against Biden head-to-head. Add that to the fact that a Democratic candidate will need a 4-point popular vote lead to even have a chance to win, and you are in dangerous territory. I don’t understand how many people don’t understand how close we were to another Trump term in 2020. States like Georgia and Arizona were a few votes from going the wrong way four years ago, and unless numbers improve, they very well could this time.
The sobering truth is that at this moment, Trump is the favorite to win back the White House, and in order to beat him, there will need to be an enthusiastic counter-movement. Right now, that force doesn’t exist, as the Democratic base is dissatisfied and splintered. Black people feel let down and used (rightfully so), young people hate this administration’s handling of the Israel/Palestine conflict (again, rightfully so), and even Latino support has crashed. Instead of bashing people for having legitimate concerns and gripes, this administration could benefit from listening and putting their defense down. If the party can’t galvanize and inspire those groups of people, then the clock will strike midnight on November 5th.
As you look across the globe, you see multiple instances of instability and human rights abuses, from the crisis in Congo to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Furthermore, you see the populist right regaining power from Javier Milei in Argentina to fascist parties winning elections throughout Europe. That usually is an ominous sign for our domestic politics, as seen in 2016. I will always believe that good will eventually win, but good has taken a backseat to power. Now “good” is as vulnerable as it's been in a long time.
So as we enter this year, we have many open-ended questions. Will our country choose to become who she promised to be? Will we stay with the currently bland status quo or strive for progressive change? Will those in power make a compelling argument on why marginalized Americans should care about democracy at all? Will this be the start of better days or the beginning of the “winter of our discontent”? Will America be able to transform itself or will the “chickens come home to roost”?
Those questions must and will be answered, but one overarching question remains: will humanity pass its test?
