After the Election: A Rare Moment for Change in America
Like many Americans, I spent the day after the election feeling very… tired. I went through my day slowly, gently, trying to process what we’ve experienced and the results of the 2024 campaigns. I don’t think I’m alone; many Americans, whether they are elated or disappointed by the outcome, can find common ground in being physically and emotionally tired right now. This exhaustion is compounded by the simple fact that toxic polarization and social division has become the norm for America for the past several years. Family members have stopped talking to each other; school board meetings have become vitriolic; people are moving to live next to those who align with them politically and only listening to news sources that reinforce their perspectives.
I won't reflect here on the significance of who won or lost. As a Christian peacebuilding organization that values dignity, justice, and flourishing for everyone, we would prophetically challenge any administration, Republican or Democrat, to do better at reflecting and spreading peace. No president is a savior, and every administration causes harm; it's only a question of how much and who is most impacted.
Instead, I want to recognize that we are finding ourselves in a unique moment in our political cycle, one that will not last for long. The campaigns have ended; the votes are cast; the races have been decided. In this brief period in which Americans are catching their breath, celebrating or mourning, and coming to terms with our next four years and beyond, we have a decision to make. How do we use this pause, this break, this “reset,” to spark new possibilities? What do we do now? What will we do differently?
The campaigns have ended; the votes are cast; the races have been decided. In this brief period in which Americans are catching their breath, celebrating or mourning, and coming to terms with our next four years and beyond, we have a decision to make.
How do we use this pause, this break, this “reset,” to spark new possibilities? What do we do now? What will we do differently?
First, we take a moment to rest, to breathe, to ground ourselves and feel safe again. That’s easier said than done—millions of people now feel less safe in the US than they did a week ago, and are feeling a deep fear and anxiety about what comes next. Still, as best as we can, let us lean into the relationships and places and practices in which we can rest.
Second, we acknowledge and mourn what’s happened under the guise of politics and where we are now. We may have different ideas about our country’s underlying problems, but we can all grieve the ways neighbors have disconnected from each other and attack each other, the ways some of the most vulnerable in our communities feel at risk, and the ways our beliefs and politics are breaking apart families and friendships.
Third, we connect and reconnect, weaving new threads of community where the old ones have frayed or disappeared. We invite people into relationships. We create spaces where people of different beliefs, backgrounds, and political ideologies can meet and hear each other’s stories. We find projects to work on that would benefit us all and build mutual trust and respect in the process. We tell new stories of our community, stories of hope rather than pain, stories that unite us. We won’t solve national debates like abortion or immigration, but we will build the social trust needed so that, when we struggle, we do so without demonizing or disenfranchising each other in the process.
This posture is not some idealized, “Pollyanna” vision where all tension and arguments go away. Not everyone will want to build trust and strengthen communities; conflicts and injustices will remain. Our country has some looming struggles coming over the next several years, about who we are as a country and what we want to be known for in the world. I hope many of you get involved in these movements; I certainly will be. But we can take a bold stance for our values in a way that humanizes and dignifies our opponents, invites relationship and reconciliation, and stands up for justice. At Peace Catalyst, we’re committed to waging conflict nonviolently—building bridges and resisting harm at the same time. This is the way of peace. This is the way of love.
So, in this brief moment of possibility, how will you be a peacebuilder in your community?
Here are some ideas
Join us on Tuesday, November 19, for a conversation with peacemaker and author Andrew DeCort to discuss where we go from here and how we can follow Jesus as peacemakers after the election. Register here.
Many people find religious and secular rituals to be a valuable way to pause, reflect, acknowledge, and orient toward our next steps. You may already have some rituals or practices that help you. If not, consider experimenting with some new ones. Be Ceremonial is one recommended resource that can help create new rituals.
Want to get involved in building peace in your neighborhood, but wish you had a community like Peace Catalyst to support you? Fill out an interest form and let us know what you’re looking for.
Not sure where to start at building peace in your community? Check out our Getting Started With Community Peacebuilding booklet for some ideas.
Wish you could have more conversations with people at your church about what Biblical peace and healthy conflict look like? Use our Introduction to Christian Peacebuilding small group guide to start some conversations!
The Get Safe-Acknowledge-Reconnect framework used above is adapted from the Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR) training from Eastern Mennonite University. Want to learn more about trauma and peacebuilding? Peace Catalyst can offer introductory trainings, and we recommend the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute to go deeper into STAR.
