Just one week ago we were on pins and needles waiting for the US to start it election the next day. They did. And for the next 4 days we were on pins and needles waiting for the ballots to be counted. It was an unprecedented voter turnout in an unprecedented year where mail-in ballots became the norm rather than the exception. And then one television network, followed by other news outlets, made the call: the Biden/Harris ticket had won and Joe Biden would be president-elect. Many in the US burst with joy. Many more in the rest of the world were ecstatic.
Joy. It’s such a “churchy” term. Yet it is very much the word that describes the hopes of those who anticipate significant change and a return to honesty and decency in the leadership of their country. It seems they will not be disappointed. For the world, however, there is a sigh of relief that maybe a global partner who could be trusted to honor international agreements and commitments would finally wake from its winter of discontent.
This must be a “cautious joy” though as almost as many voted for the darkness of winter as voted for the new light of spring. It was close. Too close really. It remains a signal that at this point in time nearly half of the American population liked the last four years. In the midst of joy that can be a disturbing reality.
