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If I may, from a French perspective, rain on an American parade that is still waiting for the final count: The danger has not disappeared with Biden (presumptively) becoming president:
In 2002, when Jean-Marie Le Pen of the far-right Front National party made it to the second round of the presidential elections, we were all in shock.
Incumbent Jacques Chirac secured reelection with 82.2% of votes, in probably the most credible instance of such a high score.
Incumbent Jacques Chirac secured reelection with 82.2% of votes, in probably the most credible instance of such a high score.
I remember at the time, Chirac said he knew his victory was not a mandate for himself, but a rejection of what his opponent stood for.
What we've seen emerge in the 18 years since on France's political scene since has instead become a dangerous game.
What we've seen emerge in the 18 years since on France's political scene since has instead become a dangerous game.
What many political leaders have done since is stoke right-wing issues, the key one being anti-Muslim sentiment.
The result? The FN starts making it more and more regularly to the second round, and its opponent only needs to scoop up the votes of those who find it abhorrent.
The result? The FN starts making it more and more regularly to the second round, and its opponent only needs to scoop up the votes of those who find it abhorrent.
The problem, of course, is once most mainstream parties adopt subtle or not-so-subtle right-wing views, you normalize this discourse in general society and people will become more inclined to vote for the real deal instead of Diet White Supremacy.
The US obviously has a very different political system, one that facilitates this sort of dichotomous view ("Vote D because we're less terrible than Republicans!").
But to see Trump as a fluke is the most surefire way to make sure this kind of authoritarian hatred returns...
But to see Trump as a fluke is the most surefire way to make sure this kind of authoritarian hatred returns...
... and next time it might be even more savvy and dangerous.
So the key is not to see Biden's win as an opportunity to close the gap between more "mainstream" Republicans (I see you, jumping ship now when you'd been perfectly content sitting by this monster for four years).
So the key is not to see Biden's win as an opportunity to close the gap between more "mainstream" Republicans (I see you, jumping ship now when you'd been perfectly content sitting by this monster for four years).
By doing so, you're only narrowing the spectrum of what is "normal" discourse towards the right.
So let's push Biden more towards progressivism and make these views mainstream. Let's tackle hatred and misinformation (including in our own families, what's up fellow white people).
So let's push Biden more towards progressivism and make these views mainstream. Let's tackle hatred and misinformation (including in our own families, what's up fellow white people).
It's been an exhausting four years by all means, so it's okay to feel some degree of relief that Trump is likely on his way out (although I won't fully believe he's gone until he's physically out of the White House).
But the fight isn't over, it's only beginning.
But the fight isn't over, it's only beginning.
