I promised myself that I would try to stay away from talking about politics frequently on social media. My philosophy was to “stay above the fray” and channel my inner Michelle Obama. “When they go low, we go high.” The rule was that I could say my opinion on anything that I wanted to until after the election, and after a candidate was elected.

Though I would prefer to mull over these ideas that I have in my head a bit more, I think that I need to say something while there is chaos. Silence is the preferred choice. It is easier and has no consequence, no family member privately messaging me, no friends calling me names. To be silent is a luxury and a privilege. Therefore I cannot continue to be quiet, and I ask that you bear with me while I share from my own heart.

I’m With Her

The girl that believed in her candidate, that worked tirelessly for a cause that she believed in, only to be cussed out and demeaned by an unapologetic individual. The female that stood up against the cruel crowd and continued to speak her truth time and time again. The women all over the United States that believed that a female president would result in better rights, that representation would lead to less sexual harassment, more opportunities, an overall less sexist, more equal society for females. My feet are planted, not because we will always agree on everything, heck we might even disagree immensely on key ideas. Yet, none of that matters, because we need to stand together and support each other's choice, rather than tear each other apart. We are a group that is far too often been passed over and abused and now is the time to come together.

I’m With Him

The men that I love that are aware of the hurting hearts around them. The guys that are standing with their friends and family. Men that will now be working to deconstruct the damage done by thoughtless words. We all know that sometimes we misspeak, yet so often our misspoken words create chasms and cut deeply into those that we love. I am standing by those that are trying to build bridges and speak life into the dark spaces.

I’m With Them

The boys that love boys who are now even more afraid. The girls that were given the chance to marry their sweethearts and now feel that their right is threatened. My LGTBQ family is terrified and hurting because even if their last choice candidate has not been incredibly cruel directly, everyone else around him has been. Their emotions, the twisty of the insides, the drop of dread within one's throat-they cannot be ignored. It has taken so long for the LGTBQ community to receive the right to love who they love, to receive justice for the hate crimes committed against them, and now there is the fear that all of that could be taken away with few signed pieces of legislation. I am with my LGTBQ family, and if you are going to hurt or demean them, you will have to deal with me first.

I’m With All Of You

My beautiful, hilarious Hispanic coworkers, the families with kind eyes. My immigrant friends, the Muslins that I serve on a weekly basis that are gracious and loving. I have seen the hate that is vocally directed towards you, and I am sorry that you feel afraid. I apologize that hate has been sent your way, but please know that you are not forgotten or not seen.

The United States’ citizens are afraid and restless. For so many, the future feels terrifying and unknown, even threatening. Therefore, I ask, no, rather I beg you to be gentle with your fellow humans. I urge that you step out and speak with someone you might not ordinarily. Tell them that you are glad that they are alive because at some point or another we all are going to need someone to tell us that they see us and love us just the same.