Don Lemon's Emotional Breakdown On Live TV Explained

Election week 2020 had the world holding its collective breath waiting for the final news. As the poll results took time to be updated due to unique voting circumstances this year, such as more mail-in ballots being processed, many people experienced election anxiety. But the minute Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were announced the winners, many Americans breathed a sigh of relief and took to the streets to celebrate (via NBC News).

So far, President-elect Biden and Vice president-elect Harris have made it a point to stress that unity will be their theme and MO over the next four years and beyond. In a time where racism is alive and well today, this message of togetherness is incredibly important. For years, marginalized groups have had many of their civil rights threatened or stripped away. Now more than ever, work needs to be done so that every single person in America feels safe, valued, and seen, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, social class, and so on. Ignoring these social issues will not make them disappear, and will only fan the flames. 

CNN anchor and journalist Don Lemon reacted to the Biden-Harris win on live TV, and what he had to say caused a stir for all of the right reasons.

On CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, the journalist spoke with colleague Chris Cuomo about the election results. After Cuomo asked him how he was feeling, Lemon didn't hold back and gave a six-minute unfiltered speech about what was going through his head when he first heard the news. He told Cuomo, "I didn't expect to be so overwhelmed by that. I didn't realize the PTSD that many marginalized people — African-Americans women, Latinos, people of color, all kinds of white people — are feeling around this country, because we have had whiplash from someone who only cares about himself and not uniting people" (via USA Today). Lemon then opened up about the struggles he has faced over the years in his personal and professional life, including racial and anti-gay slurs and fighting President Trump's declaration of certain media outlets as "fake news."

Lemon's emotional response began trending on Twitter, proving that his powerful words resonated with many. Lemon's intersectionality as a gay, black man makes his honest perspective on the Biden and Harris win that much more pressing and relevant. By using his platform to share his experiences and opinion, Lemon has given other marginalized voices a chance to be heard and understood. We have a long way to go before inclusion and equity become the norm, but change is imminent.