In the wake of the presidential election last week, it’s safe to say that the nation was shaken to its very core on November 8th. A lot of people were left shocked and heartbroken by the results of Tuesday night. Uncertain of what Trump’s presidency might bring, many people were also left very, very scared.
Uncertainty - in a world of fear, it’s probably one of your worst enemies. People fear the unknown. Nobody likes the idea that something unexpected could happen - especially if the odds are that it’s something bad. And that is exactly where the nation was left after Tuesday night - in a world of uncertainty, with millions of Americans on edge. It’s hard to tell exactly how Trump’s presidency will play out, and which heinously racist, earth-deprecating, or misogynistic promises he’ll keep. People fear for their safety, for the protection of their rights, and for the Earth. I do too. The hate crimes that have taken place in the mere week since Trump’s election are not an encouraging start to this four year journey. And so - the nation is suspended in uncertainty, anxiously waiting to see what kind of damage the 45th president will inflict on the nation and its people.
But luckily, we do not live solely in a world of fear. We also live in a world full of love, and hope, and community. A world full of acceptance and appreciation. I don’t know what will happen in the next four years - nobody does. But that does not mean that you should spend those four years living in fear. For every person that may hate you, or belittle you, or bully you, there is at least one person that loves you. No matter what race you are, what gender you are, what religion you are, which people you love, you belong in this world. No one man, nor a hundred people, not even a million people, can tell you that you don’t belong. Despite what they may think, nobody owns the Earth that you walk on. And they definitely don't own you. Stand tall and be strong, because you are beautiful, you are important, and you are loved. Remember that. And in the wake of great uncertainty, have faith that love will always prevail, because love always trumps hate. Even if love has to fight a war against hate for the rest of time, hatred will never win.
I am scared. And every day, I question how much goodness is left in the world - how much goodness is left in its people. After last Tuesday, I felt heartbroken, certain that hatred had won. It was a devastating blow to millions. But as much hate as I have seen in this past week, I have seen even more love. And yes, now we live in a world of uncertainty. But here’s the thing - we always have, and we always will. And it’s okay to be a little scared. In fact, it’s okay to be very scared. But do not live in fear for these next four years, because in this world of uncertainty, the only thing that is certain, is that love will prevail.
