EDITORIAL - Time for unity in the United States

The name of the 45th President of the United States of America would have been announced by now, as the last polling station in North America closed late last night. However, whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton became the newly elected leader of the US, one thing is evident; there are major cultural and political issues in the US that need to be resolved.

 

The more obvious challenge facing Americans is the issue of race relations. More often than not this subject focuses on the relationship between that nation’s White and Black citizens. 

Take note, for instance, of the increasing run-ins with Blacks by predominantly White law enforcement officers, which have given rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. However, 

this last presidential campaign has highlighted prejudices against other races as well, like Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans, and against religious groups like Muslims – a 

sentiment that has become more widespread since the September 11th attacks in New York and with the continuous military battles in the Middle East.

 

In the face of this, it is clear that there needs to be more dialogue at the national and community level about the presence of racism in that nation. 

 

Ignoring a problem does not make it go away, as the 2016 election has proven, it simply makes it that much more explosive when it is unearthed. America needs to step to the forefront as it has in most world matters to identify, set policies against and eradicate through education, the scourge that is racism. Supportive economic and education policies will also go a long way in breaking down barriers and giving the younger generation more opportunities to see each other as equals.

 

Along with these cultural issues which have arisen, there are a few political ones that have emerged as well. The long-standing matter of transparency of and accountability to campaign donors has once again come to the fore, with the accusations of financial impropriety on both sides of the political line. Also, the moral standing of the presidential candidates has been held under scrutiny and has come under vicious attack– thanks in part to new technology – leaving many to wonder at the regulations governing the use of personal technology as a political persona. 

 

Finally, there were huge divisions formed in both the Democratic party and the Republican party as the initial presidential nominees battled for a place in the final race to the White House. Bernie Sanders supporters caused divisions amongst Democrats; and Donald Trump divided the traditional Republican vote. This has led many to question the entire process, especially with allegations of lack of party support.

 

With this in mind, the first order of business for the new President will be to unite a nation that has for months been politically divided and polarised. 

 

With the threat of violence from both external and internal forces, it falls on the new leadership to condemn any violence and call for Americans to come together now and in the future. It is time to get out of campaign mode and settle in to do what many term the most powerful job in the world.