Moving forward as we, the people
Thursday, November 15, 2012
By: Hassan Jaber

By Hassan Jaber

Last week, we awoke to a new America, one in which the voices of the people had been heard. President Obama was re-elected by those who represent the American story; those who used their treasured right to speak up and to vote. Lower middle class, young, urban, women, immigrants, minorities and people of color determined the outcome.

These communities overcame significant, well-funded efforts to marginalize them. Throughout the election, immigrants were portrayed as a national threat; minorities were targeted with voter suppression efforts; the rights of women came under assault; and education was attacked through budget cuts and privatization.

After such a divisive campaign, one in which so much money and rhetoric was devoted to separating us according to our religion, gender, age and economic status, it is heartening to see that inclusiveness, not divisiveness, won the day. In spite of the billions of dollars thrown into negative campaigning, the majority of voters chose hope.

We, the people who re-elected Obama, have found common ground in a set of strong, universal values that include access to affordable health care, fair and humane immigration policies; an end to racial and ethnic profiling; quality education; a clean environment; the right to organize; and safe, supportive, inclusive communities.

The results of the election have become our foothold – a firm stepping stone along the path to a stronger, saner nation. The challenge now is to continue along that path as partners, to continue to find the strength of our commonalities and to work together on the road to recovery and transition.

The campaign season pulled back the curtain on a multibillion-dollar conservative agenda that appears willing to do anything to retain power. Although the election is over, the conservative agenda will not go quietly. It’s imperative that the communities that worked so hard to hold on during this divisive campaign join forces as Americans faced with problems we can solve together and a future we can build together.

The message of this election is that we want the same thing – for ourselves and our neighbors. Let’s use this grassroots energy, this youthful, cross-cultural enthusiasm, to build our communities; improve our schools; figure out how to provide affordable health care; and make America a welcoming place for the immigrants.

As this election has shown, that which divides us is not nearly as strong as that which unites us.

Hassan Jaber is executive director of ACCESS, the largest Arab American human services nonprofit in the United States.