What’s Next? A Community Message

Dear NEC Community,

This morning, the voters of the United States have elected a new President, Donald J. Trump. For his supporters, today is a day of joy and celebration. It marks the end of a very long cycle of campaigning and making the case for his return to the Oval Office. Congratulations are due to President-elect Trump and to all those millions of Americans who voted for him.

For those who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, or another candidate, I offer my congratulations on fighting the good fight. The Vice President did remarkably well for someone thrust into a candidacy in an unprecedented manner after relieving the sitting President from his candidacy for a second term. In a relatively short time, Vice President Harris organized and ran a credible campaign that came very close to victory. Though it may come as something of cold comfort on a day like today, she and her supporters should be proud of their effort.

Today, there are a lot of emotions in our country, across our state, and on our campus here at New England College. Strong feelings about an election outcome are very normal and not something we should ignore. What we are experiencing begs the question—what’s next? Some thoughts…

First, whatever your political persuasion, this morning’s election results, like all election results, serve as a reminder that we ignore politics at our own risk. I am going to share something with you that may be difficult to hear: Politics is everywhere. It’s a part of our daily lives. In fact, it’s a part of everything we do. I’m not kidding. What we eat, where we sleep, our cars, our roads, our schools, what we learn, who we love, and the control we have over our bodies are all connected to political ideas, policies, and decisions by others. To opt out from politics is to concede those decisions to people who may not have our best interests at heart. Now I know most people really want nothing to do with politics. But we disengage at our own peril. Decisions are made by those who show up. I encourage you to commit yourselves to getting involved.

Next, elections are temporary outcomes. Whether you are elated by today’s results or apoplectic, the outcomes are temporary. Today members of both parties begin to look ahead to elections that will take place next November for governors in Virginia and New Jersey, for example. They look ahead to two years from now when we will elect or re-elect every member of the House of Representatives and 1/3 of our U.S. Senators. And, before you know it, New Hampshire will once again take up its cherished role as First in the Nation and begin the presidential primary process. So, celebrate or commiserate now—because tomorrow we begin again.

Finally, I urge you to remember one essential truth that is affirmed whenever we have an election. Our country was founded on the principle of e pluribus unum—out of many, one. This national motto reflects the historical truth that our one nation was formed by the collection of the many states. To extend the meaning just a bit, our nation is a collection of a great many individuals with different values, preferences, experiences, hopes, fears, and aspirations. Today, out of those many values, we come together as one nation and honor the results of a national election and commit ourselves to the country’s future.

The Presidency, along with all the elected offices filled in yesterday’s results, are much bigger and more important than their current and future occupants, just as the history of our republic is much bigger and more significant than any one era of its history. Keep your eye on the long game. The United States will be just fine if we commit to embracing our roles as active and engaged citizens.

I wish you all the very best,

Wayne F. Lesperance Jr.
President
New England College