Wednesday, November 6, 2024

Truth and Action Roundup 11.6.24

Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, a reliable source of information, inspiration, and action for the post-election period. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it.

It’s Wednesday, the day after Election Day. We’ll be honest: This isn’t the result we were expecting, nor the one we planned for. We expected the election to be much closer across the key swing states than it was and for uncertainty about the winner to persist for much longer. We’re deeply concerned about everything a second Donald Trump presidency could mean for our families, freedoms, and futures in the U.S. and around the world. Though the presidential election has been decided and Trump declared the winner, we still need to keep working to ensure that every eligible vote not yet counted across the country is counted and the results are certified. The outcome of many important races across the country has not yet been determined, including which party will take control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Ultimately, we designed this newsletter to accompany you through a period of anxiety and uncertainty, with a focus on truth, faith, democracy, and action — and we believe all of these things will still be needed in the weeks ahead. Amid the uncertainty, anguish, and fear that many of us feel for what the coming days will bring, remember to breathe deeply and center yourself as much as you can in God’s love and heart for justice.

– Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners

In the News

Here’s what we know at the time of writing:

1) Donald Trump was declared the winner of the presidential election early this morning. Reports from government agencies and swing state press outlets across the country indicate that that the election proceeded mostly smoothly and safely. We are grateful for a free, fair, and safe election, and the dedicated professionals and volunteers all over the country that made that possible, including so many that served as poll chaplains and peacekeepers. We also remain concerned about the prevalence of misinformation and the detrimental impact of new restrictions and barriers that are often hard to measure.

2) As we write this, many congressional races, state and local races, and ballot initiatives have not yet been called as votes continue to be counted across the country. Control of the House of Representatives, which has yet to be determined, will have a significant impact on how the second Trump administration governs through 2026. It’s critically important that every eligible vote is counted in every race across the country, and the winners duly certified. You can also get up-to-date information and resources from organizations such as the National Task Force on Election Crises on how that process will unfold between now and Inauguration Day.

A red, white, and blue collage of a donkey, elephant, courthouse, capitol building, along with the preamble of the U.S. Constitution

Take Action

Be careful about the information you share on your social media, especially in this time of confusion, anxiety, and grief for so many. We know a number of bad actors have and will likely continue to promote disinformation. Sojourners will strive to bring you information from trusted, vetted sources, both via this newsletter and our coverage on www.sojo.net.
As you feel able, take time today to check in on your family and neighbors who are deeply affected by these election results. Learn more about mutual aid and consider donating to a local network. Continue to follow the close races where winners haven’t been declared and advocate for every vote to be counted. You can get rapid-response updates, including suggestions for how to talk with your own circles from the National Task Force on Election Crises here.

Deep Breaths

Many of us are dealing with a range of emotions after the results of the presidential election. Today is a day to be gentle with yourself. Allow yourself room to feel the emotions that might arise. If you are filled with sorrow, lament and cry. If you are angry, scream into the wind. If you are numb, realize that emotions might come to the surface later.

Limit doomscrolling. Protect your heart and your mind during this sensitive time. If you have a journal, take this as an opportunity to get the words out on paper.

I especially implore you to take the time to see women, especially Black women, in these coming weeks. This result is invoking fear in some. Pray when you feel led. Say a kind word. Check on your strong friends.

Here is a playlist of worship songs to help soothe your soul and to remind you that God is still God. God has been with us throughout all we have been through up until this moment. God will be with us beyond.

— Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners

The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff:
President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor
Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris
Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson
Senior Adviser and Director to the President's Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves
Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez
Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio
Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser
Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims