_Noah Wright is a sophomore constitutional democracy major at MU. They are an opinion columnist who writes about politics for The Maneater._
The 2020 presidential election has proven yet again that electoral politics in the United States is not a substantial means of change. The options presented to the American people, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, offer two bleak visions for the future.
On the right side we have an authoritarian leader promising law and order, hoping to underscore the fact that under his administration a lethal pandemic has killed over 200,000 Americans and we are now in one of the worst economic depressions in history. Our other option is to “Settle for Biden,” and trust a career politician to implement more ineffective neo-liberal policies with the goal of returning to a “business as usual” U.S.
In addition to the dismal policy platforms offered by these two candidates, both men come with a slew of concerns over their personal lives. Donald Trump, who in a leaked Access Hollywood tape infamously bragged about his sexual prowess and ability to get away with groping women, faces 27 allegations of sexual assault dating back to the 1970s. Joe Biden, with a long history of making women uncomfortable on video, faces 8 allegations of sexual misconduct and an assault allegation from his former staffer Tara Reade.
These are disheartening options: two predatory old men who show signs of cognitive decline in just about every speech. For weary Americans battered by disease, unemployment and a growingly unlivable climate, the phrase “Just Vote” feels like a spit to the face. To top it all off, gerrymandering, voter ID laws and an electoral process that prioritizes a handful of states over the popular vote has left many voters feeling understandably disenfranchised.
While this election is uniquely terrible, the truth is that presidential elections have never offered a better future for people who are oppressed by the U.S. economic and political empire. Both Democrat and Republican administrations have worked to build a racist police state, furthered imperialist wars abroad, thrown children into detention facilities, stolen Indigenous land and built a capitalist system that allows the ruling class to exploit the working class. This list, which is by no means extensive, indicates that elections are a contest in which the American people get to choose a new set of oligarchs every four years.
To be clear, a business as usual U.S. is more appealing than an unhinged, neo-fascist leader. To those for whom voting is accessible, it’s a relatively easy way to engage in democratic citizenship and should be encouraged. However, voting one day out of the year is not the end-all be-all of responsible citizenship. It certainly absolves no one of the moral responsibility to fight the cruel systems of the U.S. empire. For this change, we must build a movement from the ground up founded on mutual aid, direct action and revolutionary fervor.
Instead of donating to political campaigns, donate directly to marginalized people in our communities. This organizational theory, called mutual aid, is effective at actually helping those in need and allows us to build a world where we are dependent on each other rather than out of touch politicians.
Likewise, participating in direct action protests and strikes allows us to use the power we have as the majority to force change on our own terms. These tactics will allow the oppressed in our country to form a revolutionary movement, which is the only viable solution to combat a colonizing, oppressive empire.
Building solidarity in our own communities is not only incredibly rewarding, it offers hope for a better future. It’s as simple as believing in the concept “If I eat, you eat.” Our politicians will not save us, but we do have each other.
_As part of our commitment to social justice initiatives, we at The Maneater encourage you to consider making a donation to Assata’s Daughters, an organization committed to Black liberation and equality. The link to donate is https://www.assatasdaughters.org/donate-1_
_Edited by Sofi Zeman | szeman@themaneater.com_