Americans must find ways to talk to each other and act civically

Greetings, readers:
On Wednesday, President-Elect Donald Trump met with President Joe Biden at the White House. Biden promised a smooth transfer of power, something that failed to occur when he succeeded Trump four years ago.
That’s promising for all Americans to hear, regardless of how they voted.
Meanwhile, in Tennessee, writers continue to talk about why Trump beat Vice President Kamala Harris. The main reason falls to economics: jobs, inflation, cost of living, and housing prices.
“The economy consistently ranked as voters’ top priority this cycle, and in poll after poll, voters stated that they believed Trump could handle it better than Vice Presidential Kamala Harris,” wrote Monica Farrow, who serves on the Tennessee Polk County Industrial Economic Development Board, in a guest opinion column.
Columnist Andrea Williams argued that this was a factor in 21% of Black men voting for Trump according to exit polls.
I mentioned the economy as a top priority in a recent column about growing numbers of Latino men voting for Trump.
Still, while the outcome has elated Trump voters, it has left many Harris voters in despair. I have had numerous conversations with neighbors, colleagues and even strangers about how to cope.
In my most recent column, I recounted an unexpected conversation with a man wearing a “Don’t Tread on Me” cap at the Nashville Veterans Day parade. This discussion motivated me to continue advocating for active participation in our democratic republic.
“The perceived difference between whose America is worse fuels fear, loathing and despair,” I wrote. “But a citizenship mindset is the opposite of passive participation. My new cap-wearing friend helped me remember that free citizens need to believe and act like they are free citizens.”
How are you feeling about the election about a week-and-a-half later? Send me an email at [email protected].
Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to [email protected]. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.
David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. He is an editorial board member of The Tennessean. He hosts the Tennessee Voices videocast and curates the Tennessee Voices and Latino Tennessee Voices newsletters. Call him at (615) 259-8063, email him at [email protected] or find him on X at @davidplazas.