Anthony W. Haddad
The Millennial View

As we are quickly approaching the election, I find myself longing for it to be over, yet apprehensive about the aftermath. Regardless of whether you vote for Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump, the potential reactions to the outcome concern me deeply.

If Harris wins, we can expect a wave of vote deniers, possible riots, and four years of rhetoric insisting that “Trump is actually the president.” Regardless of the election’s fairness, the Trump campaign will likely contest the results, utilizing every legal avenue available to keep him in the White House.

This fear is exacerbated by the fact that the Supreme Court, with several justices aligned with Trump, could influence the outcome. For younger generations, many of whom have only known Trump as the face of the Republican Party, this scenario may not feel all too familiar. They may not recall the chaos surrounding the Florida ballots in the 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush.

The Supreme Court possesses the power to change election outcomes — not randomly, of course, but within their jurisdiction.

Now, let’s consider a world preparing for a second Trump presidency. We know he intends to issue sweeping executive orders, describing his plans for governance as tyrannical (his words, not mine). The implications of these orders, if upheld by the courts, are unsettling. Trump has claimed no involvement in Project 2025, despite the engagement of many of his allies. What if he begins to implement those plans anyway?

This isn’t to say the left would stay silent — they’d still take to the streets, flood social media, and ensure their voices are heard.

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We Are the Losers

If Harris wins, anticipate rallies and riots. If Trump wins, expect the same. Who truly loses in this scenario? It’s not the candidates — who will be branded as “LOSERS” across social media — but us, the American people who strive to go about our daily lives.

I’m not here to debate their policies, whether it’s about taking away rights or expanding them, my primary concern is the mess we will awaken to on Nov. 6.

Many of you reading this are in California, where we know Harris has our electoral votes, but the battleground states will ultimately decide this election. Even though we might feel some comfort in predicting our own state’s outcome, the discomfort and unease permeating the nation are palpable. I’m already witnessing non-political posts on social media morphing into political debates, further deepening our divisions as election day nears.

I’ve been unfollowed by some friends who believe I don’t align with their political views and they want to hide what they are saying to save face, and I fear that this trend will become our new reality in the real world.

We’ve become so polarized that it feels like if you don’t share my beliefs, you have no place in my life. Yet, I have said before that my best friend, some family members, and even coworkers and I hold opposing beliefs, and those relationships remains intact. It should be that way for all of us.

But, when we make the colors blue or red our whole personality, it seems like it is impossible for us to become a group of purple.

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We Are America

The way we’re engaging in online battles — facilitated by the internet’s 24/7 nature — reflects the growing discord spilling into our lives. Regardless of your vote (as long as you voted), I urge everyone to remain civil. No matter the outcome, we are the true losers if we remain divided.

We must always stand together, not just for our sake but for our communities. It’s not the person in the White House who matters, it’s our neighbors and the bonds we share that count.

As we navigate the uncertainty ahead, let’s commit to fostering understanding and kindness within our communities. Reach out to those who may hold different beliefs, engage in respectful conversations, and remember that our shared humanity is far more important than political divisions.

Together, we can build a stronger, more united America — regardless of who occupies the White House.

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Connect with Anthony W. Haddad by email or on social media.