The Unacknowledged Trauma of Kamala Supporters: Processing the Emotional Fallout of Political Divide11/7/2024 As we process the outcomes of the recent election, there’s an unspoken reality: for many supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris, the election results are triggering a profound yet largely unacknowledged form of trauma. This trauma stems not just from the immediate disappointment, but from years of witnessing divisive rhetoric, systematic injustices, and an overwhelming fear that the ideals they hold dear may be at risk. Those who supported or voted for Donald Trump often downplay this reaction, dismissing it as being over-sensitive, being a snowflake, or the need to "toughen up.". However, beneath the surface, there's a deep emotional impact that deserves recognition.
Understanding Political Trauma For those deeply invested in Kamala Harris's vision of progressive change, seeing her efforts thwarted or undercut feels personal. Political trauma, as researchers have observed, involves an individual’s sense of safety, security, and belonging being challenged or undermined by national or global events. Supporters’ identities are often intertwined with the figures they support, especially when those figures represent milestones for social justice, equity, and diversity. This personal identification can amplify the emotional fallout when outcomes do not align with one’s hopes. Political trauma is distinct in that it is not only about one’s personal future, but the perceived future of the country and marginalized communities. For Kamala supporters, this trauma may manifest as an anxiety about the fate of justice initiatives, gender equality, racial equality, and climate protection. The consequences are felt not just within individual psyches, but as a collective malaise impacting communities, friendships, and family structures. Individuals of the LGBTQIA+ community experience a unique fear during political shifts, as they’ve frequently been used as pawns in ideological battles, particularly around election time. Transgender issues, in particular, have been spotlighted in political discourse not to protect or support trans people, but as a divisive tool to mobilize certain voting blocs. Laws targeting transgender healthcare access, restrictions on gender-affirming care, or limitations on participation in public life are crafted not only to control but to provoke public reactions and sway voter bases. This manipulation leaves people of the LGBTQIA+ community feeling especially vulnerable, as their rights and identities are politicized for agendas beyond their control. Rather than being seen as individuals with valid needs and rights, they become focal points in polarizing debates that often disregard their humanity. This fear is compounded by personal and collective trauma—many in the LGBTQIA+ community have faced lifelong discrimination, and the threat of seeing their rights used as a political bargaining chip only intensifies their anxiety and sense of vulnerability. In this climate, it becomes essential not only to advocate for protective legislation but to foster societal empathy that values them beyond political weaponry. Minimization of Trauma: A Response from the Other Side A significant part of the trauma is compounded by the reaction—or lack thereof—from Trump supporters or those indifferent to Harris’s platform. Many supporters of Trump dismiss the reactions of Harris voters, often branding their distress as overreactions or claiming that they’re making mountains out of molehills. This dismissive stance creates a silencing effect. The result is that Kamala supporters are often left feeling isolated and unheard, unable to find outlets to discuss their fears and concerns. Minimization of trauma can exacerbate stress responses, potentially leading to feelings of helplessness, anger, and even symptoms akin to PTSD. When one’s perspective is invalidated, it can feel like an attack on one’s beliefs, values, and identity. Political dismissiveness forces people to internalize their stress and frustration, creating a scenario where their psychological well-being is constantly at risk of being eroded. The Impact of Political Trauma on Mental Health The psychological impact of political trauma is profound. Feelings of hopelessness, anger, and helplessness can give rise to a number of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance. When individuals feel that their values and future are threatened, their mental health can deteriorate rapidly. Political trauma also leads to a breakdown in relationships, as family and friends who voted differently may not validate or acknowledge one’s distress. This can create a sense of loneliness, even within one’s closest circles. For some Kamala supporters, witnessing this dismissal from their communities may evoke a feeling of betrayal. The impact extends to feelings of mistrust, leading to heightened caution in discussing beliefs and emotions with others. This can affect one’s social dynamics, making it challenging to form close connections in personal and professional spaces. Pathways to Healing and Building Resilience Acknowledging and processing political trauma is essential for moving forward, both individually and collectively. Here are some approaches that can support Kamala supporters (and others similarly affected by political outcomes) in healing:
Moving Toward a Compassionate Dialogue Our polarized political climate leaves little room for compassion, but it’s precisely what’s needed to move forward. Both sides of the political divide may benefit from understanding that trauma can exist regardless of political beliefs. For supporters of Kamala Harris, having their experiences acknowledged is a crucial first step toward healing. Creating dialogue around the psychological impacts of political events can bridge divides and foster empathy. When trauma remains unaddressed, it has the power to divide further. But when we lean into compassion, validation, and collective understanding, there’s hope for healing both personally and as a society.
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I am deeply saddened that trans people are still a target. For the purpose of this post, I collectively group all trans individuals together although I am painfully aware that trans people of color are an even greater target. However, this post is not about the color of ones skin as it is even more encompassing. It is about the human race in general. I am shocked that we, as a human collective single out a minority group as target to feel better about who we are on an individual level. And that in itself is an oxymoron because how can someone feel good about themselves if they have the need to take away someone else's dignity and safety?! That is just mind-boggling to me. Misgendering someone, using wrong pronouns even after being reminded of the correct ones, staring, pointing fingers, or continuing to use the name that was given at birth is hurtful and traumatizing. It does not face me as cis gender at all if someone calls me ‘sir’ but for a trans woman or trans man being called ‘sir’ or ‘mam’ is hurtful and traumatizing. It invalidates who they are. Or if a trans man’s voice is too high / a trans woman’s voice too low, and s/he frequently is being referred to as “”he” or “she” or “her” or “him”, it is hurting the person. And emotional scars are much deeper than any physical scar. The emotional scar comes in form of negative thoughts or self-berating thoughts. Many trans individuals are really good in letting “slips of the tongue” slide especially if a person is aware and apologizes but once the person is being made aware of their ignorance, not once, not twice, but three or more times, and they continue to use the wrong pronouns or name or misgender in any other way, it no longer can be considered to be a slip of the tongue. I get, that we all make mistakes but after being reminded three or more times, is it considered a mistake or ignorance. Well regardless of the intention, enough is enough! We, as a human collective, should thrive to support each other, lift each other up and be kind and compassionate. We, cis gender folks, have to make an extra effort in getting it right! We owe it to our trans sisters and brothers to show respect and solidarity. We are one species and under that umbrella we all have the same right to exist, to be loved, to be respected, to be happy, and to thrive. Let's find stability and peace within this mantra: Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu It means: "May all being everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all." Enjoy the video We, humans, accept and understand that there is a variety of species that either changes or can change their gender throughout their lifetime or has both male and female genders. Protogynous hermaphrodites such as the cuttlefish, clownfish, frog or bearded lizard all change their gender throughout their life cycle. So does the salps. The male seahorse carries the eggs of the female and gives birth. We accept it all as part of nature and think nothing of it. Yet we do not accept it as normal in our fellow human beings!
Why?! Aren’t we all part of nature? Genetically we are 99.9% the same as the next person. Our closest living relative is the chimpanzee which is 96% genetically similar to humans. The Abyssinian cat is 90% similar, domesticated cattle shares 80% gene similarity, fruit flies share 61% of disease-causing genes with humans, 60% of chicken genes have a human gene counterpart, and even bananas share about 60% of the same DNA as humans! So, what makes us hate and not accept each other? It is time we look within and spiritually awake and come to realize that gender is a division of the human species we use to categorize male and female. Gender can be changed to reflect the innermost feelings of a human being which for many transgender individuals is necessary to feel wholesome. Why is it ok for someone to get a breast implant, cheek implant, eyebrow lift, nose job or any other augmentation of the body but changing ones gender is stigmatized. Native Americans recognize the term “Two Spirit” for someone when “their body simultaneously manifests both a masculine and a feminine spirit, or a different balance of masculine and feminine characteristics than usually seen in masculine men and feminine women.” Others are non-binary or intersex. All is part of the vast carpentry of the great human Species. So what it is that we cannot accept in someone who is genetically 99.9% the same as ourself! Is it our own thoughts we project onto someone else because we need to feel better about ourself? This then leads to the ultimate question: What is it within our self that we cannot accept?
Watch these two TED Talks by Jamie Oliver and Sam Kass. Although both Chefs are focused on the food our children eat, it nevertheless is an eye opener about what our children eat and what we eat. Watch the part where he pours out the amount of sugar children drink within 5 years of elementary school. It is shocking!
https://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver?language=en https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_kass_want_to_teach_kids_well_feed_them_well The immediate goal of the No-Sugar Challenge is to cut out or at least lower the amount of sugar intake and to create a healthy habit. It is to raise awareness about healthy food choices and observe the change we will experience within the 45 days of Lent. We are using the excuse of Lent to get started. However, the long-term goal is to live a healthier life, to feel better physically and mentally, and to teach our children to live a healthier life. The food we eat affects our body and mind. Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (French lawyer and politician) already knew that when he wrote in Physiologie du Gout, ou Meditations de Gastronomie Transcendante in 1826, "Dis-moi ce que tu mangest, je te dirai ce que tu es" which means "tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are." Ludwig Andreas Feuerbach wrote, "Der Mensch ist, was er isst" which translates to "man is what he eats."
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