By Vanessa Falcon

The 2020 election has been historical in every sense of the word. Record-breaking voters rushed to the polls, and an outstanding amount of young voters chose to have their voices heard.

The moments that led to so many young people to rush to the polls were the summers filled with riots and protests for a better future. President-elect, Joseph Biden, seemed like a much better option for those who wanted to see their goals achieved, but now it is up to the test to see whether said President-elect will fulfill his promises.

The Black Lives Matter movement has galvanized thousands of new and young voters to educate themselves and head off to the polls. After a tragic four years of hate-crimes, racism, sexism, and bigotry under Trump’s reign, many have said that they will not stand by any longer. Movements like the Black Lives Matter movement have inspired people to get involved in politics and to be informed. 

Joseph R. Biden has won the 2020 election, and now there is still a war among us. President Donald Trump is suing for voter fraud and is demanding many states hold a recount of the votes. Now that the Democratic side has established a somewhat victory, these movements that have helped the left side so greatly might just fade away.

There are many who believe that by just removing President Trump from office, that all hatred and racism will disappear. Racism, bigotry, homophobia— all of this is the foundation that America was built on. Society might have seen this magnetized during Trump’s four years, but this doesn’t mean it will disappear with him. 

Even before Trump, America has been racist. In President Barack Obama’s terms, many slurs were spewed at him and his wife. Before him, there was always a tension, a line where white people warn their kids not to cross because “those black kids are dangerous.” 

Many fear that people will become silent, complacent once more. When another Black man is shot down under Biden’s presidency, many are worried not the same amount of faces will dot the streets. Solving racism isn’t an overnight thing, like a flu— it’s a plague, taking years to dissolve into nothing. 

No matter who is elected, it is always important to remember to speak for the unheard, and to never allow for others to be abused. The ideals of America were built on racism, but they were also built on freedom, a freedom anyone can attain.