Like most of us, I have been following the events leading up to this year’s elections with concern, and with growing fear at the possible consequences facing us at the end of the cycle, no matter what happened. While the result of the presidential election was not particularly shocking to regular readers of the news, I think that even the most politically engaged among us were surprised by seeing the election concluded so quickly and decisively, along with conservative victories across other national races; and by how quickly we went from the expectation of some form of divided leadership to the likelihood of a national government with all three branches in the hands of conservative leadership.

Given data that show many demographics have also shifted toward Republican votes this year, I believe it’s likely that a number of members of the Columbia community voted for President-elect Donald Trump and other Republican candidates for office in their home states this year, and so it is not surprising that the College’s Nov. 6 message of support to the campus community did not express judgment either way on whether to celebrate or grieve the election result; in fact there was special mention of the idea that “diversity, equity and inclusion… extends to everyone regardless of their political affiliation and their position on the important issues that have defined the 2024 campaign,” and that we must “be considerate of all our diverse perspectives.”

However, I think it is important to note that the perspectives that were espoused during this election cycle have included the following, all of which have featured in Republican platforms:

• That anti-racist education is “toxic propaganda” and “a form of child abuse in the truest sense of those words” (Trump said this in 2020, and has not since walked back his position).
• That gender-affirming care for transgender people is “genital mutilation” (Tucker Carlson, a Trump ally) and should be legally prohibited from minors (as per a Senate bill introduced by V.P.-elect J.D. Vance); while those who push for access to such care are “groomers.”
• That immigrants “poison the blood of America,” (Trump said this in December 2023) and are a threat to the safety of Americans, violent “stone cold killers” capable of incredible violence (Trump said this in September of 2024).
• That ensuring access to menstrual products for students is a laughable waste of resources worthy of ridiculing one of its proponents with the nickname “Tampon Tim.”

Some of the people we may know or hear from will say that they voted for Republicans without necessarily agreeing with perspectives like the above. The national narrative tells us that this year, people voted on the basis of economic concerns and not on “identity politics,” with many outlets arguing that identity politics is a “luxury belief” that Americans can no longer afford. But I imagine that would be of little comfort to someone who is subject to being discriminated against, deported, denied medical care or threatened by physical violence as a result of this election.

And so, I wish that Columbia had used last week’s message to remind our community that, no matter how they voted, the above “political positions” are directly in contrast with Columbia’s identity and Columbia’s DEI Mission, not to mention our own practice of providing free menstrual products on campus.

I wish that Columbia used last week’s message as an occasion to remind our community that our identities are actually at the heart of what makes us Columbia.

I wish the message had said to the members of Columbia’s community who feel, and are, under threat by the incoming national administration, “we pledge to continue being a place where you will be safe and be loved, where your identity will be embraced by your teachers, your administration, your colleagues and your students.”

I wish the message had said to members of Columbia’s community who felt seen by Trump’s economic message and who may have been celebrating Trump’s victory, “Columbia will continue to be a place that stands for anti-racism, that is committed to taking on systemic discrimination, and where our curriculum will challenge the cultural canon even as it is being rewritten around us in the moment. Open dialogue and civil debate are welcome on our campus, but any dialogue which seeks to dehumanize members of our community based on their identities is not civil, and is not welcome.”

The message didn’t say those things, but I will say them now on behalf of myself, and hope that these beliefs are co-signed by Columbia’s administration even if they were left out of last week’s message. Thank you for being a part of this amazing community.

Christopher Shaw is an associate professor of mathematics in the School of Design.

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