Note from the Author: Finding Hope in the 2024 Election Results

This post is going to be a bit different from posts I have done in the past. This blog is about how public relations strategies are prevalent and important in political campaigns, but I feel it would be unethical of me to not address the recent 2024 election results. To be fully transparent, I am disappointed with the results of the election. I am angry, scared, sad, confused and have a lot of other feelings. I truly do not understand how our country chose a convicted felon over the first female president. As a woman, I am scared I will no longer have important access to reproductive health care, nor will I be able to make my own decisions regarding my reproductive health. I am scared for our planet as climate change is impacting people more than ever. I am scared for the millions of immigrants in our country who will now have to fight ten times harder to receive citizenship and live in fear of being deported. I am scared for the LGBTQIA+ population, as they may no longer be able to outwardly love who they love. I am scared for the BIPOC community and the potential discrimination they may face. And I am terrified about what will happen to the fabric of our democracy and the things that make living in this country an incredible privilege. I want to emphasize that if you have similar feelings to mine, it is okay. I guarantee you are not alone.  

All of this being said, I still have hope. In the light of these results, I have seen more people come together than I ever would have imagined. I have seen people supporting each other through these hard times in beautiful ways. I have seen young people already begin to mobilize and fight to protect the rights we hold so dear. I truly believe that no matter who is in office in any position, we must not let hate win. We must focus on being kind to one another on a human level. We must understand that everyone, no matter their race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or citizenship status is a person who feels the same things we do. Holding our loved ones close, supporting each other, and fighting for what we believe is right will always have more power than an elected official.  

I want to offer some positive things that came out of the 2024 election in hopes of bringing some light to your day during this dark time. Some of the most monumental outcomes from the 2024 election took place in the House and Senate races. There were many firsts that show our country beginning to embrace diversity. For example, Lisa Blunt Rochester became the first woman to represent Delaware in the Senate. Additionally, she will be the sixth Black women to serve in the Senate.

Sarah McBride was elected as the first openly transgender member of congress, winning a House seat from Delaware. Andy Kim, who was elected to the House from New Jersey, will be the first Korean American to serve in congress.  

The night was nowhere near a total loss. There were many positive things that came out of this election, and I believe there will be many more to come. Despite the devastation many of us feel, I truly believe things will be okay. Be kind to one another, and don’t let hate win.