Member-only story
Post-Election ‘I’m Over It’ Claims Are a (not just) Queer Trauma Response
A look at nazi Germany and the HIV/AIDS epidemic through queer eyes
When Trump was elected, there was a flood of posts from people claiming they were done with US politics: “I’m done with America now. It deserves everything it has coming to it,” comments one user on threads.
“Feeling betrayed by increased minority support for Trump, Black women say they’re stepping back,” runs an AP headline.
“Let me say this: I cried all yesterday [November 5th], but today I woke up and got me some Starbucks,” one person commented in response to abandoning Palestinian activism in the wake of the 2024 election. “Fuck yall, we’re done. For the next four years, we don’t give a fuck about anyone else’s problems. Cheers, ladies.”
I understand the emotion behind these statements, at least in part, but I also don’t believe those who claim such things are deciding to detach themselves from their surroundings. Many are using such rhetoric to socially and psychologically distance themselves from how badly hurt they are by this country, and it’s a familiar feeling.
The idea that one can distance oneself from society has existed for a long time, and it is usually unhelpful in actually protecting oneself.