I hear your anger, your outrage, and your fear. You've brought it to our classrooms, our jobs, our city, and our streets, but in doing so, you've caused more chaos than you've put an end to. These so-called peaceful protests have turned to riots, and your actions are not those of organized justice, but of violence, and that I cannot tolerate.
As a city, many of us share a common fear, the fear of the unknown, and the fear of injustice, that come with this new presidency. We fear a loss of our friends, our families, and our rights and feel that by making our voices heard this way that change will come about faster. I'm here to tell you that you're wrong. I'm scared too, and even though I know I possess more privilege than the majority of my fellow citizens, I sit afraid of what harm may come to my body and my rights. I look around and fear the worst for those I love, knowing how hate can spread under the wrong leadership. Yet, as I watch you walk past my window and hear your screams of anger and indignation, I see only the spread of hatred you claim to protest.We're better than this. The city the world sees on the news is not representative of the loving community of progressive individuals we are. How can we be the change we claim to want if all the rest of the world sees is anarchy?
Our nation is at a crossroads. There is an enormous cultural divide between not only the Republican and Democratic parties but those in between as well. We look at the other side believing them to be the enemy, ranting about the destruction that will come to our nation if power rests in their hands. Yet, we forget the many commonalities we share. We forget our shared history and the intense loyalty which appears during every Olympics. We forget that the color of our skin, our sexuality, our religion, or our gender does not matter so much as the kindness we provide to one another during times of intense mourning. Our nation was simultaneously torn apart by the fear of the "other" after 9/11 in the same way we drew close to fight back. To quote Hamilton we are, "young, scrappy, and hungry," and if we hold true to that, perhaps we can find our way back to one another. 250 years ago, we celebrated our freedom and looked forward to all that we could accomplish together. Now, we are a country that believes it is "every man for himself" and cannot handle a difference in opinion.
So, to you tonight Portland, I say, find a different way to use your voice. Continue to stand up for what you believe in, but don't let this opportunity go to waste rioting in the streets, spewing more hatred than was already there. When hatred comes our way, choose instead to be the bigger person, the bigger city, and set peaceful discussion as the precedence. Whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, an Independent, or a member of the Beer Party, set your differences aside long enough to hear what the other person has to say. It isn't easy, it isn't fun, but at this point in our country, we must do everything we can to combat hate with love and find what makes us similar rather than what tears us apart.
Tonight, set the precedent and fight hatred with love, violence with peace. Together, we can be the kindest, most caring people I know; it's time to find a better way to show the country who we are. I love you, Portland. Be the change our country wants, not the response they fear.
