The U.S. Election – Outcome, Challenges, and Opportunities

At HU, we have always held to the belief that when humanity is united, we can create a powerful force for human dignity. This belief has guided us for many years as we have supported and worked alongside dedicated partners to advance dignity, freedom, and peace around the world. Unfortunately, over the past few years, we have experienced an erosion of these tenets here at home. We have seen first-hand that, just as unity can be a powerful force, disunity – in the forms of polarization, de-humanization, and violence – can be a powerful affront to human dignity.

For a U.S.-based organization named “Humanity United” that seeks enduring peace and freedom in the world, this has been a humbling moment.

This past week, a record number of citizens from across the country cast ballots in national, state, and local elections to choose our next political leaders. The freedom to peacefully exercise this right has been a long-held objective and hallmark of U.S. democracy, as has the peaceful transition of power from one federal administration to the next.

Over the weekend, it was announced that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are the projected winners of the presidential and vice-presidential election, a result that will be formalized next month through the electoral college. Joe Biden will be the 46^th President of the United States, and Kamala Harris will be the first woman, the first black person, and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as Vice President. Though their opponent is challenging this outcome, American voters have made their choice, and it is now time to begin the peaceful transition of power that will culminate on January 20, 2021 when President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris take their respective oaths of office.

Though there is hope and opportunity in this outcome, the election results also reveal that the U.S. remains a deeply fractured and polarized country. Much work will be required from the new administration, from Congress, and from all Americans, to come together and to begin the work of understanding and healing. From racial injustice and inequality, to the inhumanity of the U.S. immigration system, to political polarization, we all have much work to do in this country.

The new administration will also have the opportunity to rebuild U.S. relationships with governments and communities around the world. This is an important moment to re-engage and re-envision global institutions so that they are more responsive to, and representative of the people. We also see this as an important opportunity for the U.S. to re-prioritize human rights, peace, and freedom.

At Humanity United, we remain committed to our mission and values, and working alongside our partners, we will continue our efforts to elevate and advance peace and human dignity around the world and here at home. This includes continuing our focus on our core work – peacebuilding and combatting forced labor and human trafficking. This also includes exploring where we can contribute on issues we care about, such as racial justice and a just and humane immigration system in the U.S.

To do this, we will continue to engage and work with government leaders and policymakers, regardless of party, to foster greater U.S. leadership, accountability, and action on these issues. At the same time, we will not hesitate to speak out against individuals and institutions who promote policies that are detrimental to peace, freedom, and human dignity.

Each U.S. election provides a moment of deep reflection, both for the country as well as our organization. As we consider the challenges and opportunities of this moment, as well as the election’s implications for our global community, we know we have much work to do. We must take advantage of this opportunity. We accept the challenge.