Being an American abroad during a presidential election year often comes with explaining the electoral college; explaining that a presidential nominee could win the popular vote but lose the election due to not receiving 270 electoral votes (as was the case in 2016). Being an American abroad means justifying our two party system; explaining why voting any party aside from Democrat or Republican, at this point in time, is seen as a wasted vote.
Being an American abroad during a presidential election means a lot of phone calls and messages back home. It means connecting with other Americans abroad and discussing our plans to vote, our stresses, our anxieties over US politics and ultimately the worthiness of ever going back.
Depending on where I am abroad, I am either forced to explain the how and the why of Trump or bear witness to the ‘Trump effect’. It has been my experience that there is nothing in between.
After days of counting, we finally have results. And while many weren't keen on the choices we had, it was an objectively historic election. Biden has received more votes than any presidential nominee in American history. His vice presidential running mate, Kamala Harris, will be the first woman and woman of colour to ever hold the position.
There was nothing usual or expected about this election. States like Wisconsin and Michigan that predominantly voted red in 2016 have flipped blue in favor of Biden. Demographics that usually have a low turnout have voted in record numbers. And because of the grassroots work of Stacy Abrams registering 800 thousand plus citizens, even Georgia turned blue.
It has been a long election cycle in which the world witnessed our president publicly challenge our democratic process, insinuating foul play and demanding we stop counting legally placed ballots. He has emblazoned white nationalists, telling them to ‘stand back and stand by’. He’s refused to clearly state that in the event of a loss, that there will be a peaceful transference of power.
'The very closeness of this race likely tells the world everything they probably need to know about our nation.'
It is undeniable that America has inserted itself on the world stage, and while I can recognise the privileges my citizenry has granted, it is often difficult to find the words to explain why America is the way it is without a fair amount of historical context.
Being abroad, I do not