Hope for Common Ground in a Divided America
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The 2024 election cycle was incredibly divisive. From accusations of fascism to fears of election fraud, animated and sometimes hyperbolic rhetoric created a must-win election for both sides. Since only one side can win, what is the path forward for what seems an increasingly fragmented America?
However, several trends in the 2024 election gesture to an America that is not as fundamentally divided as political pundits would have us believe.
First, a clarification: there are real and fundamental disagreements between the extremes of both political parties that cannot be compromised on without losing all moral integrity. Most notably, this relates to issues like abortion.
That being said, the first of such positive trends is the massive impact of alternative media in this election. Donald Trump especially capitalized on the independent podcast industry to reach millions of new voters: for example, Joe Rogan’s interview with Trump was posted on Oct. 25 and has nearly 48 million views on YouTube alone at the time of the writing of this article.
While some of these podcasts have a political slant, many are explicitly non-partisan. Joe Rogan is hardly a conservative icon. Bernie Sanders appeared on “This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von” just two episodes before Von’s interview with Trump.
Alternative media is a positive development because it gives both sides a platform for mutual conversation.
The popularity of such alternative media underlines that many Americans are not as politically extreme as party talking heads would have us believe and are willing to engage in the free exchange of ideas. Alternative media fosters an environment of respect and discussion, something we desperately need in this time of divisiveness.
Secondly, while exit polls reveal a stark divide between certain socioeconomic and racial groups, the Republican platform was able to appeal to an increasingly diverse group of American voters. According to an NBC News exit poll, 55% of all men and 45% of all women voted for Trump in 2024.
While Harris dominated among African American women, of which 91% voted for Harris, Trump has incrementally gained momentum with African American men. He earned 21% of their vote in 2024, a jump from only 13% in 2016.
Trump likewise made headway with young voters, a demographic that typically votes heavily Democrat.
Perhaps the most striking number, however, was the dramatic shift to the right among Hispanic voters.
Trump won only 28% of the overall Latino vote in 2016, and that number increased to 32% in 2020. However, it exploded to 46% in this election. For perspective, Reagan won the 1984 election with 525 electoral votes but still only carried 34% of Hispanic voters.
These numbers point to an increasingly diverse Republican party. While the most striking result of the 2024 exit polling is a significant divide between male and female voters, even this disparity is broadly decreasing.
This is a good sign for Americans because it demonstrates the possibility for common values and interests that transcend racial, gender and socioeconomic divides.
Lastly, this election showed that the issues with which Americans were most concerned overlap with the areas where Democrats and Republicans are closest to agreement.
A Gallup News poll found that the economy was the most important issue in the 2024 election, with immigration and the handling of foreign affairs coming in second and third, respectively.
The good news for Americans is that these issues have the most common ground between parties. Both sides of the political aisle want a thriving economy and an immigration and foreign policy that balances the safety of Americans with empathy for those seeking new opportunity.
On these issues, unlike debates about gun policy or abortion, Democrats and Republicans agree on a common goal. This is an important step. The solutions have to be worked out, but the shared vision is there.
The distance between the extremes on both ends may be increasing, but the American people are proving themselves willing to approach a moderate middle.
While I find these trends hopeful, they cannot foster unity in the absence of basic respect and honest dialogue.
Political engagement is vastly important, but not to the detriment of our moral treatment of others. The dehumanization of the other in pursuit of political ends is never justified.
The dignity of each person demands that we respect others enough to allow them to make their own choices and have their own opinions. This respect is most vital precisely when we disagree most adamantly, because violence follows closely on the heels of an inability to communicate.
Regardless of political affiliation, the American people have spoken. Donald Trump will be the next president. We would be wise to put the vitriol of this election behind us and approach each other with respect once again.
Maddy Wayman is a senior English major with a math concentration.