Following an election like none other, peace and justice activists face unprecedented challenges as we grapple with the deep divisions in our society, a world that has little respect for the United States, and uncertainty about what the Biden Administration will, or will be able, to do. We are sharing reflections from a number of UFPJ founders and members.
Bob Wing, in his early analysis of the election exit polls, sees a country that “remains virtually evenly divided and thoroughly polarized,” which portends “a long and tough fight against the racist rightwing and for social justice ahead of us.” Read more of Bob’s analysis of the 2020 “referendum on race, racism, inequality and authoritarianism amidst a raging pandemic.”
In their post-election reckoning, Carl Davidson and Bill Fletcher, Jr. lay out six hypotheses for the road ahead, including the nature and strength of the right wing movement and necessity of thinking “through this election in a wider context of ideas related to strategy and tactics.” Read their evaluation of the challenges before us, including the limitations of the concept of “movement-building.”
“Our flawed democracy remains on life support,” writes Joseph Gerson, as he lays out the demanding work before us, including “rebuilding popular support for truth, science and human rights, resuscitating the economy, outlawing voter suppression, ensuring universal access to health care” much of which “can be accomplished by reducing massive military spending and making the essential investments in education, social services and green technologies.” Read more of Joseph’s prescriptions for defending democracy and our future.
In his KPFA podcast, Max Elbaum examines “what history tells us about the election.” He reflects on the pre-1965 “White Republic,” years of backlash against the gains of the civil rights movement, and the conflicts progressives will face with Republicans and with a Biden Administration in building a multiracial democracy. Listen to the podcast here.
“Will the Biden Team be warmongers or peacemakers,” ask Medea Benjamin and Nicolas J S Davies in their examination of what a Biden presidency may mean for our “pandemic-infested, war-torn and poverty-stricken world.” Can a politician who “reaped rewards from the same corrupt political and economic system as Trump” address the “greed, extreme inequality and war” of U.S.-led neoliberalism? Read their analysis of how we must hold Biden and his team accountable for turning the page on war and militarism.
