Hosted by the Mary V. Jordan Multicultural Center on Nov. 4, “The Election is Over: What Happens Next?” drew together community figures to discuss the deeper implications of the results of the presidential election.
The event paired with virtual participation over Zoom. Several Multicultural Center staff attended, as well as members of the student government and faculty.
At the time of the event, the notion of a quick victory had dissolved as counts continued in the battleground states, and President Donald Trump cemented significant leads in populous states like Texas and Florida. Since Nov. 4, Biden’s margin has widened in Arizona, Nevada and Michigan with Pennsylvania and Georgia flipping blue late in the count.
On Nov. 7, the Associated Press has projected a victory for Biden and declared him the President Elect, but vote counts and legal challenges are still ongoing as President Trump presses claims of voter fraud.
The Trump campaign has attempted to sue to stop the counts in several battleground states, but judges have already dismissed their efforts in Michigan, Georgia and Pennsylvania.
The significant difference between polls and ballot counts was a large part of the Multicultural Center’s discussion, with many participants expressing surprise that the race was so close to begin with. It seems that many media outlets and polls underestimated the divide present in the country.
“Over the last four years I don’t know that we have addressed the issues,” said Joy Fulkerson, director of leadership and civic engagement at ETSU. “We have focused so much on one person and not worked to really think about the role that all of us as individuals necessarily play and the impact or influences that we have.”
In the context of political tension rising within the U.S., the conversation turned to combating hate and violence. Several members of the call spoke to the difficulty they have experienced with reconnecting to politically-opposing friends, family members and coworkers.
“I have lost respect for a lot of people, and it’s not because of who they supported, it’s because of how they supported and what they posted, and words they used,” said Amanda Hixson, an executive aide for the Multicultural Center. “In my case, I need to try to rise above some of that and at least try to reach out and talk to people, and try to continue the friendship because I don’t want to be that kind of person.”
Social media’s impact on political divide was discussed as well, raising questions of how productive discussion could be found in the age of “alternative facts.” Election misinformation has taken center stage as President Trump’s early victory claims stoked protest and conflict, especially within battleground states. As Biden’s projections improve over the coming days, many will need a strong focus on peaceful transition in both office and rhetoric.
