Jeremy Allen: How Democrats, Black voters, and America’s division shaped the 2024 presidential election

Regardless of the outcome of the Nov. 5 presidential election, I planned to write a column about what helped to determine the results and how we should hold elected officials accountable and demand progress through action. Admittedly, I didn’t suspect the outcome we got, but here we are with Donald Trump as the president-elect. The campaign process and ultimately the election of Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race has once again brought to the forefront a stark divide in our nation, one that we cannot afford to ignore. The results of the 2024 election paint a picture of a country deeply divided along racial, political, and cultural lines, and the thing we praise: the country being a melting pot of different views, different priorities, and different values. While it is a moment of reflection for us as a nation, it is also a call to action – particularly for those of us who stand for the values of justice, equality, and democracy. The numbers speak volumes about where we stand, and the challenges ahead are clear. But even in the face of these challenges, we must remain hopeful, focused, and determined. At the heart of this...