This is an opinion column.

So, here we are, America.

Here’s who we are.

America.

We’re not about policies, let’s be clear. Most Americans couldn’t articulate either political party’s position or plan far beyond how a third-grader might describe them: Tax. Border. Inflation. Choice. Them.

No, we’re America, the land that voids character and elevates the convicted. The convicted felon. The smug 78-year-old man who incessantly lies, rattles on incoherently, belittles women and berates our neighbors. Who promises to burn our house down. With our matches. With our votes.

The man who stoked our deepest fears and made us hate. Again.

It’s who we are, America. In 2024. We’re an old, angry codger. Let’s be painfully clear.

We are 248 years old, and we’ve learned nothing. Nothing from the sacrifices of our founders, from the men and their families who despised tyranny so much they sought and fought to create a new nation. An imperfect one, no doubt. But one founded on the simple principles of democracy, freedom and equality (sort of).

We are a nation soon to be led again by a heartless narcissist who surrounds himself with billionaire narcissists and sycophants drooling to do his will. Enacting policies that will hurt us all, including those who foolishly believe he cares for them.

We’ll be led by someone our most respected military leaders warned us should never again be close to the buttons of destruction. Of death.

By someone who promised a greatness that never was, and yet we sucker-fell for it.

We are a nation likely to be unduly influenced — if not manipulated — by foreign nations we should be shunning not hugging. Just as our election was with hoax bomb threats, and a disinformation network.

We are a nation that will soon likely tariff Americans deeper into poverty and strip them of healthcare. A nation that will further curate our children’s education until it bears no semblance to truth. A nation where our immigrant neighbors will live in fear, as too many already do.

We’ve learned nothing from our faults, from the worst of us. From the centuries when we stole this land from those truly born here; kept women in their place by stripping from them the most crucial of decision-making rights; and spit on all but white men as we lynched, and pillaged, and Jim Crowed, and red-lined, and stripped naked those who only desired dignity and an equitable start — after being enslaved to cultivate and build this land.

After being devalued — dehumanized — to build our value, our wealth. Correction: your value, your wealth.

Devalued unless they shut up and played ball or music. Or danced. Unless they shut up and had babies. Unless they stayed in the closet. Unless they stopped talking about stuff that made you sweat.

How dare they seek the highest, most powerful seat in our land. Again. No matter how qualified. No matter how lawful. No matter how much she is us.

No ma’am. Not in 2024.

This is who we are.

America.

And yet, we are the America that still embraces the diaspora we are.

That sends Andy Kim of New Jersey, a son of immigrants, as the first Korean American to the U.S. Senate.

That sends Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware to the U.S. Senate, marking the first time in our history two Black women will share that exclusive and hallowed chamber.

That sends Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota as the first woman elected to the U.S. House from that state.

That sends its first openly transgender American, Sarah McBride, to Congress, also from Delaware.

That sees my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a city with a tragic racial history, elect its first African American mayor: Monroe Nichols.

That sees my new home state elect its second current African American member of Congress, Shomari Figures, a feat that required a historic U.S. Supreme Court decision and the courage of many to pursue.

We are still a nation of faith. A nation under God.

Today and beyond, we will still love and raise our children to be good people, to be their best selves. To stand tall and hold their shoulders. To be all they are called to be. To love their neighbors.

We will still love our families (sometimes in spite of, yes).

We will still root for (and boo) our favorite teams, eat and drink at our favorite haunts.

We will strive in our careers. We will still earn, save and seek to grow wealth.

We will still go to the gym, and snarl at our waistline.

We will read books and seek wisdom.

We will still travel, watch our favorite TV shows and movies. And laugh.

We will hold onto our communities, empower and love them.

We will love our neighbors (some of us, alas, will do so more than others). We will pray for those among them who now fear even more so for themselves and their families. Who feel they must look above, below, in front of and behind them now.

Who fear deportation, being stripped from their jobs or families. Who fear an attack on the street simply because they look different.

Who fear becoming Emmit Till, or so many other innocents lost to the worst of us.

And still, we must do this: We must still fight. Still act. Still strive. Still resist.

We must still vote, looking closer to home now — to our school boards, city councils, county commissions, mayors, judges, state legislators.

We must — and I’m sharing my church’s theme for 2025: Thrive. Now, we must remain focused, faithful and fruitful, in spite of.

Now, as arrogance and anger embrace their new power. As they puff out their chest. As they bully.

Or try to. No, sir.

Their election victory does not define us. Not all of us. Not all of America.

In spite of.

I was raised by good people who encouraged me to be a good man and surround myself with good people. If I did, they said, good things would happen. I am a member of the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame, an Edward R. Murrow Award winner, and a Pulitzer Prize finalist for commentary. My column appears on AL.com, and digital editions of The Birmingham News, Huntsville Times, and Mobile Press-Register. Tell me what you think at [email protected], and follow me at twitter.com/roysj, or on Instagram @roysj.