After almost four years of a right-wing lead in almost every major political arena, starting with the 2016 Brexit referendum in the UK and the Donald Trump win of US elections during the same year, a number of recent events are suggesting a deterioration in the right-wing's popularity which appears to be losing ground in the west.
Political #polarization has become so familiar that we barely think how it came about. The backstory is more than a half-century long, involving #race, #media and a diverging #economy . Read it here: https://t.co/sTnUseHZMO#elections #GArunoff @granitewinger @KathyJCramer pic.twitter.com/E3M6FaCert
— GOVERNING (@GOVERNING) January 6, 2021
The unforeseen shift towards the right and white nationalism that has been taking place over the last several years could have ignited an extreme response from the other camp, mostly witnessed in recurrent, more organized protests, whether we are talking about the women's march or the Black Lives Matter movement.
While the Trump four-year reign has negatively impacted the political rhetoric in the country, creating space for a more severe political polarization, the phenomenon doesn't seem to affect the US only.
Since last November, more and more events are showing a reversed political shift in different places around the world.
1. Joe Biden's win
Despite a slow start of the election year, with millions of Americans focusing on the pandemic which imposed social distancing rules and long home-stays, the US presidential elections witnessed an overwhelming rate of voter turnout, one that has resulted in an unexpected defeat for Donald Trump, who had achieved an easy win back in 2016.
My point was progressives elected Biden. Moderates elected Biden. Republicans elected Biden. So they should be represented. Or Biden won't be elected again. Not with 81 million votes. And I did support Biden. I knew he could win independent and republican votes he's a moderate.
— Eodem (@meminimeusvita) January 2, 2021
Some experts have interpreted Biden's win saying that more left-leaning voices that didn't want to vote for Clinton in 2016, might have shut the door in Trump's face this time.
2. More progressive, LGBTQ, and colored legislators than ever
In addition to losing the White House, the GOP lost its majority in the US Congress, making more space for black and brown politicians in both the house and the senate, many of whom are regarded as more progressive than the traditional line of the democratic party.
This picture gives us such deep joy and gratitude for the growing progressive #squad! Welcome to Congress, @CoriBush and @JamaalBowmanNY! ✨✨✨ pic.twitter.com/AA9pL9j819
— Women of Color for America (@WOCforAmerica) January 3, 2021
Additionally, the 2020 elections featured the first transgender senator in the US Congress.
3. Flipped States
Indigenous people flipped Arizona. Black women made Georgia possible.
— Jamie Indigo ❤️??????? 100% Human (@Jammer_Volts) January 6, 2021
I'm crying with gratitude for the tenacity of those who refused to be disenfranchised and marginalized.
Bottom of my heart: THANK YOU
Even more surprising during recent months, was the historical changes in political tendencies in places that have for long been considered as right-wing strongholds, such as the US states of Georgia and Arizona, both of which flipped blue during the 2020 elections.
4.Black Lives Matter gaining momentum in Europe
Despite it originating in the US in protest of "excessive police violence against black people," the BLM movement is increasingly getting more popular across Europe, as generations of immigrants and their descendants report facing a similar reality.
Hungary: an art installation by Péter Szalay, dedicated to the theme of Black Lives Matter, will be one metre high and will be on display for just 2 weeks. It is causing uproar in Budapest...? https://t.co/CyeGuPh0OU #art #BlackLivesMetter pic.twitter.com/H5oRtz5Pqj
— Lady Stormwind (@Lady_Stormwind) January 5, 2021
Since June 2020, several BLM protests have taken place in Paris, London, Zurich, and many other cities, all calling for limiting police violations against people of color.
Europe doesn't have a giant population descended from former slaves so when you see people here do epic black lives matter stuff it's just students and middle class people who want to copy America and normal people hate it.
— Little Penguin Who Love Me Dot Com (@MAGICSWORDOWNER) January 5, 2021
However, some voices have questioned whether this European interest in the BLM movement is genuine, or if it's another sign of American cultural hegemony across the world.
5. The arrest of Proud Boys leader
Enrique Tarrio, leader of the Proud Boys, was arrested for misdemeanor property damage, so before anyone tries to defend him, here's his confession: pic.twitter.com/TooppWO2Al
— Fifty Shades of Whey (@davenewworld_2) January 4, 2021
Not being condemned by Donald Trump, the far-right Proud Boys group has been getting more popular amongst conservatives in the US. However, news outlets have most recently reported the arrest of Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the group for "misdemeanor property damage" as he prepared to join DC march in support of Trump's claims of voter fraud.
Written by Riham Darwish