Winken, Blinken and Nod (US Presidential elections)

Given the power of the international media, both the traditional ones and those in social media now under the direct control of some of the worst species of today’s billionaires, it is hard to ignore the coverage of next week’s Presidential elections. Literally, “every move you make, every step you take…” you are bombarded with news about Trump, Harris and the relative nonentities at their sides.

I had resolved not to make any comment on the Presidential race 2024, yet so much is at stake that that at least a couple points must be made. First, I must make it plain that not for one moment do I overlook the significance of the possibility of a black woman breaking through the glass ceiling and becoming the first woman to be President of the USA. Whilst I do not expect any great things, not even for women, moreso black women, should this occur, it will be a milestone in US politics, undeniably so. The pity is that like many Democrats in whom many hopes were pinned, the slavish obeisance of the Democratic party to big capital can yield at the best, mere cosmetic changes. Not even Barack Obama could change that. There may be cosmetic changes and certainly a rejection of the racist and backward utterings and actions of the Donald Trump camp. But substantive changes?

Kamala Harris has been a sort of sidekick to outgoing President Joe Biden, and frankly has not put her own stamp on the Vice-Presidecy or the administration. On the evidence of the past four years, on matters of democracy and human rights, Biden has been a major disappointment. Apparently, these should exist only for people in Ukraine, on whom billions of tax dollars are being spent, enriching the criminal military industrial complex, purveyors of arms and profiteers of wars and destruction. However, when it comes to life and death issues for non- white people, the approach is radically different. Biden himself speaks often, very softly one must say, these days about “human rights”, yet it is palpably plain that this term is not applicable to the peoples of Palestine (Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon). Nor does it apply to Haitians or Cubans in our hemisphere. The western media tell us that Biden “detests” Netenyahu, but this supposed “detestation” certainly does not apply to policy. Netenyahu winks, US Secretary of State, Anthony Binken does what his surname says, and Joe Biden gives the nod – genocide carried out in full view of the world. Can Harris afford to buck the trend?

At the same time, one cannot afford to ignore Trump’s irrationality and glaring racism. If black people, in the

USA or here in the Caribbean, cannot perceive his insults to black people, coined to justify racial superiority and slavery, when accusing black Haitians as “pet eaters”, then we are in a very bad state indeed.

Then there is also the threat that his erratic and irrational behaviour poses to world peace. Worse, a victory for him would encourage every would-be dictator around the world, from Argentina to eastern Europe, to say “to hell with democracy” in their quest for power. Already a trend has evolved among such would-be autocrats, to refuse to accept the results of every election they lose and to instead, with outside support, force their way into power. A Trump administration would only give further encouragement.

Yet there is not much empirical evidence that US imperialism would change its spots with a Harris victory.

Initially it may inspire and encourage women and even some democrats around the world, but as happened so many times before, the honeymoon would be short-lived. The winking, blinking and nods would continue because the likes of Elon Musk are determined to use their enormous wealth to subjugate the rest of us. There is no easy road towards making the world a better place for all of us, no alternative but independent organizing. Whether Trump or Harris, can we look upon the US to throw its weight behind the efforts by black people the world over to literally force Britain and the

European former colonial and slave masters to accept their role in reparatory justice, while racism is still alive in the USA?

So, while I listen to the “lesser of two evils” theory, our reality is that we cannot afford more masters, however benign they might be. We have had too much experience with tagging along in the hope that good might come some day. Try telling a Palestinian survivor of the genocide that! While it is important that the Trump train must be stopped in its tracks, the balance of forces is not so aligned that Harris will be able to do what Obama and even Kennedy failed to accomplish.

One may welcome the change but be under no illusion that there will be fundamental change. There is no short cut for us. Those who control our world will continue to “WINK, BLINK and NOD”.

• Renwick Rose is a Social and Political commentator.