November 6th is no ordinary election day

Many people are scared right now. Many are horrified and dismayed by the trajectory of this nation. As Chair of the Southold Democratic Party I can tell you some of what I’m hearing within our town: President Trump is, at a minimum, doing nothing to dial down the extremist right-wing voices in his party that are resulting in hate crimes, shootings, and the proliferation of both white supremacist rhetoric and influence in the nation.

What I’m hearing more often from residents here in Southold Town is their belief that Trump is intentionally feeding this anger, hate, and violence. Through his portrayal of immigrants as criminals, his unfailing support of the NRA, and his not-so-subtle dog whistles to white nationalists, he fans the flames because he benefits from the power that his base affords him.

As an extension, many in this community blame the Republican party for enabling this rhetoric and action. President Trump’s most vocal allies--such as our Congressman Lee Zeldin--are particularly culpable, for unfailingly supporting and standing by a man who is so clearly xenophobic in word and in action, as well as for his own actions, such as inviting white supremacist Sebastian Gorka to headline a recent rally.

In such troubling times as these, citizens have an obligation to hold accountable not only the perpetrators but those at every level who are fomenting, supporting, and benefitting from racist fears and ideologies.

Many people, not just Democrats, believe that we are in a time in which dramatic peaceful action and protest are necessary: to take a stand against the violence, the hateful rhetoric, and the marginalization of minority communities.

When we are combating fear, hate, apathy, and violence, we are not in for an easy fight. During the Civil Rights era and the non-violent fight for equal rights under the nation’s laws, there was tremendous strife within communities. Calls for “civility” were common then too, just as now. Martin Luther King’s words are an apt warning: “I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to ‘order’ than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: ‘I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action’.”

Sadly, I believe we are in a similar time. The antidote to right-wing extremism and violence is peacefully but fiercely advocating for justice, vocally protesting the immoral statements and positions of our elected officials, and taking direct action at the ballot box. We cannot be concerned about our own discomfort when so much is at stake.

When our children and grandchildren are grown, they must know that we fought for Jews, for Black people, for all people of color, for immigrants, for the LGBTQ community, for women, for the poor, the vulnerable, and the sick. They must know we were on the right side of history.

This November 6th is no ordinary election day. This election is about more than politics--it’s about morality and our identity as a community. This is not the year where a local business owner can vote for a candidate merely because he likes his tax policy, while shrugging off the rest. Not when your and your party’s moral integrity is at stake. I am certainly not saying that Republicans in our community are evil or immoral. But the Republican party is being overtaken an extremist ideology. The time to resist that trend and restore some semblance of integrity and human decency is right now, in this midterm election.

Extremism, white nationalism, xenophobia are what you are voting against if you vote for a Democrat on November 6th. Here’s what you are voting for: accessible and affordable healthcare, increased funds for public education, infrastructure jobs to build roads and bridges, keeping families together, a plan to stem the effects of climate change, and better care and support for those who’ve bravely served our country.

Democrats believe that there are enough resources and opportunities for everyone to thrive in our communities. We believe that we must have compassion for our community members who are struggling financially, emotionally, or physically. We believe we must respect and support all people, regardless of race, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. These ideals are what our democracy must stand for.

Election season is one of the most significant times that Americans have an influence on the direction of this nation. And this is one of the most consequential elections of my lifetime, at least.

Right now, in every city and town, including Southold town, the national is local. Our town is not immune to the damage these extremist views are reaping: a Mattituck property was recently desecrated due to the owner’s political and religious beliefs, messages of hate were painted onto political signs, and immigrants throughout Southold fear they will be targeted next. Not only do we need to vote, but we need take peaceful action right here where we live to influence others: by putting up signs, by knocking on doors, by talking to our neighbors, by taking a position on social media.

Some may argue such actions further divide us, but I argue that they serve to unite us under our shared humanity, and that the absence of these actions is complacency. If the alternative is passively watching hate and injustice proliferate, we must choose action and vote for Democratic candidates in this midterm election.

Kathryn Casey Quigley is the Chairwoman of the Southold Democratic Party