The aftermath of Election Day 2024 has left many of us grappling with a sense of disillusionment and fear. As I’ve scrolled through social media in the days following the results, I’ve noticed a recurring message: “We will survive this.” While this sentiment is comforting, it feels inadequate for the gravity of the moment. This isn’t just a bump in the road or a misstep that can be corrected in a few years; this is a revelation of America’s true face — a harsh truth that many of us have refused to fully acknowledge, myself included.
In a country where we like to think of ourselves as striving toward unity, the deep divisions on full display in this election have exposed a fracture so profound that it may not be possible to heal. The “us versus them” mentality, which has always existed in varying forms, has grown stronger, and what’s troubling is that this fracture, this polarization, has reached a point where its consequences could become irreparable.
A Nation in Crisis
What happened wasn’t just about the failures of Kamala Harris or Joe Biden. Both did their best to steer a fractured nation, to heal wounds that have long festered. But ultimately, the real failure lies with America itself. And while many are grieving and processing the results, it’s critical to understand that this failure isn’t something abstract; we will all pay the price.
This includes Trump’s supporters, who will soon feel the impact of the policies he has promised to enact. But it also extends beyond our borders, to the global consequences of his foreign policies, his support for regimes like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and his reckless stance on issues like mass deportation, tariffs, and international diplomacy. The ripples of these policies will affect every corner of the world.
The Pain Ahead
The emotional pain and the looming uncertainty about the next four years cannot be understated. We have to acknowledge that for some of us, survival will not be guaranteed. This is not an overreaction or apocalyptic rhetoric; it’s an honest assessment based on what we know about Trump’s plans and the dangerous trajectory they could set in motion.
For those of us who do survive, the coming years will feel less like a political setback and more like an existential struggle. We will endure — yes, but it will be with a sense of anxiety, fear, and helplessness that will permeate our daily lives. Our safety, our rights, our very futures will feel increasingly uncertain as the administration works to undo hard-won protections and privileges that many of us have taken for granted.
America’s Darkest Days
This moment is not unlike the darkest periods of American history, such as the Civil War, which was triggered by the nation’s failure to reckon with its systemic racism and its brutal treatment of Black Americans. The road to ending slavery was long and fraught with unimaginable suffering. Yes, we eventually overcame that injustice, but at an immense cost. The reckoning we now face — with white supremacy, voter suppression, abortion rights, and the erasure of fundamental freedoms — could bring about a similar level of pain, perhaps even worse, before it is addressed.
In the years to come, we may look back at this period as a time when America’s experiment in democracy teetered dangerously close to collapse. We may see Trump’s re-election not as a “blip,” but as the beginning of a deeper unraveling of our nation’s foundational values. His open support for white supremacists, both at home and abroad, his disregard for democratic norms, and his disdain for human rights are harbingers of a dark future, one that could undo the fragile progress we’ve made.
The Reality of Trump’s Policies
Take, for example, his proposed mass deportation plan, which is not just a logistical nightmare but a policy rooted in racial fear. The costs of such an operation — estimated at up to $315 billion annually — would be astronomical, and it would disproportionately target communities of color, particularly in places like Dearborn and southwest Detroit, where many immigrants live. Trump’s administration would likely mobilize everyday citizens to become agents of surveillance, turning neighbor against neighbor, tearing at the fabric of communities that have long been a part of America’s identity.
On the issue of abortion rights, Trump has already shown his disregard for women’s autonomy and bodily integrity. After appointing the justices who dismantled Roe v. Wade, he no longer has to pretend to support women’s rights. The anti-abortion rhetoric that was once strategically tempered during his campaign will likely return with full force, as his administration will be free to push policies that could result in the further erosion of reproductive rights across the country.
And when it comes to healthcare, we can expect the rollback of vital protections and services. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., expected to play a significant role in shaping Trump’s healthcare policies, has suggested eliminating the FDA’s Nutrition Department, which ensures the safety and labeling of food and dietary supplements. If this comes to pass, it would be a devastating blow to public health, leading to a deregulated food industry and heightened risks for millions of Americans.
The Dangers of Suppression
Trump’s administration will likely become increasingly authoritarian, with a strong push to suppress any dissenting voices. From deploying the military to squash protests under the Insurrection Act to silencing media and online platforms that do not carry his preferred message, the very foundation of free speech and public protest will be under threat. It’s not hyperbole to suggest that the right to peacefully assemble and express opposition could become a thing of the past.
Project 2025, a roadmap for Trump’s second term, lays out these plans in detail. It offers a chilling vision of the future, one in which democracy is further hollowed out, rights are stripped away, and those who speak out against the regime are silenced, punished, or ignored.
A Path Forward?
Despite the bleak reality we now face, I still believe that the ultimate path to healing lies in bridging our divides. We must let go of the divisive “us versus them” mentality and acknowledge that all of us, regardless of political affiliation, are in this together. We cannot afford to demonize half the country. If we do, we risk further fracturing our nation beyond repair.
For those who seek to survive this storm, it will require resilience, solidarity, and the courage to continue fighting for justice, equality, and democracy. It will be a long and difficult road, but it’s one that we must walk together — if we are to preserve anything that resembles the America we once dreamed of becoming.
We may survive, but we must be honest about the cost. And we must be ready to rebuild, even if that task seems impossible at times.
