Farewell to this Election Cycle

by Arman Deganian
President, DeKalb Bar Association
litnerlaw.com

As important as this general election is, I am ready for it to be over. Not because I am not interested. Not because I do not see the implications of the results. I’m just so exhausted of the vitriol, hatred, accusations, and lack of civility that most of us have witnessed in recent months. This election has been especially unique in those respects. No matter what side of the aisle you fall on, I imagine you are as tired of it all as I am. I need a break. I’m ready for Thanksgiving. I’m ready for Christmas. Heck, I’m ready for anything but all of this mess.

I am holding out hope that, no matter the results of the election, Americans come together, accept the results, and move forward making a better America.”

Despite all of it, I am holding out hope that, no matter the results of the election, Americans come together, accept the results, and move forward making a better America.

Despite all of it, I am holding out hope that, no matter the results of the election, Americans come together, accept the results, and move forward making a better America. I believe time sometimes allows us to forget that post-election anger and frustration in America is nothing new. In fact, there were a number of incidents in Georgia and throughout the America after President Obama was elected in 2008. For example, in rural Georgia, a group of high-schoolers gets a visit from the Secret Service after posting comments about President-elect Barack Obama online. In Raleigh, N.C., four college students were investigated for spraying racist graffiti in a walkway after the election. On Nov. 6, 2008, a cross was set afire on the lawn of a biracial couple in Apolacon Township, Pa. In Traverse City, Michigan, a local business flew an American flag upside down in protest of the Obama victory. One worker even used a racial slur during an interview with the local newspaper regarding the incident.

There are examples of these types of incidents going back to almost every election. I never thought that a presidential election could get more personal than they were in 2004, 2008, and 2012. However, it seems they have become just that this year. It is disheartening. I sincerely hope that Americans are ready to move on from all of this nonsense and embrace whomever is elected to lead this country and get on with the business of being America again. The America that embraces our differences with respect and dignity. Let’s not forget that the Chicago Cubs are one game away from winning the World Series. If the Cubs can win the World Series, it is pretty obvious to me that anything is still possible here in America. Who knows, maybe we can even regain our civility in public discourse. I know both are tall orders, but I’m headed to a bar tonight to cheer for the Cubs. I’ll be cheering for America come this time next week as well.