I did not follow the US elections this time around. The idea that two people who should be retired were battling for leading a nation felt ridiculous. Later on, the fact that one of the geriatric candidates realized he was old and named the brown woman as his pick sealed the deal in my mind. It was a sealed deal in my mind.
However, it seems that others did not get the same insights. I read a lot about surprise in my feeds. People wonder how this could happen. By this margin. After being impeached twice. Convicted. Potato tomato.
Shame
I wonder: Why people are surprised? But in reality, I wonder why they post about their surprise. A country in which a vast portion of its citizens lack health insurance. That puts children in cages. A country that does not allow humans to make decisions about their health. Where making affirmative action can lead you to jail. Were I surprised today, I would feel ashamed.
Collection
It might just be me. I have been a proud shame collector for years. Be it books, impulses, or thoughts, I have a vast recollection of things I should be ashamed of. In fact, I am still ashamed of telling my partner back in 2015 that Trump would not win. I feel ashamed of having been so naive. I cannot fathom how people eight years later can proudly post about their lack of learning. I guess it's ok that even in shame, there is diversity.
Hirschman
If you are surprised, heartbroken, or sad, then Albert Hirschman's book Exit, Voice, and Loyalty might give you some foundations for what to do next. As you read, though, remember that we live our lives in echo chambers. Communication, though highly important, has been shown to have little power in changing people's minds (i.e., all voters heard about the impeachments, convictions, etc.). There are thus two routes: Exit or Loyalty. I have left two nations I called home. It is hard, but ask any migrant, and few would go back. Life gets better when you live in a society whose values match yours.
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