As Donald Trump’s presidency looms, the opinions vary as to what we should all expect from his administration. Some are fearful that their basic human rights will be stripped. It’s understandable considering among his cabinet appointments is a man who was considered too racist to be a federal judge and a man who agrees with the vice- president-elect's harsh stances on abortion. The president-elect has also offended almost every population in America, including the one that helped get him elected, and has made it clear that his stances on the issues are murky at best.

Despite his grandiose promises about tackling one issue or another, it’s clear that a large part of the American population still does not know what to expect. Aside from the uncertainty about our government, there is trepidation about the people we thought we knew. It says a lot that we somehow managed to elect a man who proved time and again that he did not understand the responsibilities of the position he ran for nor did he care about the diverse nature of the population he would be serving. And while this may sound like a hopeless situation, in actuality it is the exact opposite.

History has proven time and again that whenever true progress is about to take place, it is often met with severe resistance. In this instance, the potential for the equal treatment of women, and acknowledged abuse of all “minorities” resulted in the election of a man who flaunted his sexual abuse, called an entire community of people rapists, threatened to kick another group of people out of the country based on their faith, and suggested the reinstatement of a law that was specifically meant to allow officers to racially profile. All of this in the name of making America “great again”.

As a woman of color, I momentarily lamented the loss of the most qualified candidate for president to this man; but only briefly. And that’s when I realized that lamenting and even protesting wouldn't necessarily get me the result I wanted. Yes, it makes a statement, but shouting at a building is not going to send the message we want to our president-elect, his cabinet, or even Congress. I agree, we should make ourselves known. We should make it perfectly clear to those who represent us, at the local and national level, what it is we expect from them. The main flaw of some public servants, I have observed, is often a selective amnesia with regard to who it is they are meant to serve. Some tend to forget completely that it is not themselves.

I wonder, however, if as a collective we would be more effective taking another tactic. And in the meantime sexism, racism, and every other “ism” runs rampant. It’s perpetuated by individuals whose want for nostalgia coupled with public apathy led to the result we have now. Public voices are struggling to do what they should have done all along, take Trump seriously. In the meantime, we take careful steps and do all we can to preserve our mental health. Yes, we should do this, but we should also do more. Rally and encourage our young minds, be consistent, have several plans in the works. The worst thing we could do is let this Nero fiddle while the Rome burns.

Of course, it will be hard. It will also be tiring. It will be trying and exhausting, but all things worth having are. The new president-elect and those who support him are little more than bullies. So long as they lack validation, they lose their power. I’m not scared to live in what some are calling “Trump’s America”. This is because, in my opinion, it isn’t Trump’s America. He and his minions are employed by the people and are therefore replaceable. Yes, some of his followers may occupy powerful offices, but they can only do so much without opposition. From what I have seen, there is plenty of it. I have no qualms with taking action when I think it is needed especially considering, as some may or may not know, being heard is remarkably simple. I intend to live fully in this trying time. Life is too short. And until I am fully satisfied with my representatives, I intend to call and lobby and write and show up when needed. I intend to move onward, upward and forward.