Finding Community Amidst Election Anxiety

On Wednesday morning, Devon Blow, a talented illustrator and writer based in Los Angeles, shared an inspiring quote on Instagram: “I will never surrender myself to hopelessness and despair. As long as I got you, and you got me, we will be free.” Leading up to the results of Tuesday’s election, she also posted uplifting affirmations such as “We are better together” and “No matter the challenges, I find purpose in the work we do together.”

At 40 years old, Ms. Blow had a keen sense that many people might be feeling anxious and overwhelmed about the election’s outcome. She expressed, “I wanted to encourage people to know that regardless of what the outcome is, we can still survive together, and we can still get stuff done together.”

Her messages of seeking solace in community have struck a chord with those who feel disillusioned by the political establishment. In the wake of the election, while some individuals were quick to either celebrate or mourn the results, and others carried on with their everyday lives, a significant number of young people on social media have been advocating for grass-roots organizing and mutual aid.

Juliette Todd, a 19-year-old resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan, cast her vote for the first time on Tuesday. However, she found neither presidential candidate satisfactory. This dissatisfaction only underscored the importance of seeking support from her community. She stated, “When you have no trust in the system, it only leaves you with yourself and people around you.” For her, the responsibility fell on her shoulders to look out for those around her, adding, “I feel like I have to look out for the people around me because no one else is going to swoop in and do it.”