People are hurting on both sides of the table. We cannot ignore that. We cannot disrespect that. We also cannot ignore or disrespect each other.
I do not agree with the decision that was made by the country in the early hours of Wednesday, November 9, 2016. However, I respect the systems in place enough to say:
"Ok, so that's your decision."
The morning of the election I was shaken to my core, sick to my stomach and fearful of the unknown—of the overwhelming uncertainty of the days and years to come. President Obama was correct when he said the “sun will rise” and it did and I was grateful for that morning sun. I knew that morning I still had to get up, go to work, pay my bills, and be a daughter, a sister, and a citizen. I cried, do not get me wrong, I cried. I wanted the first female president for myself, the future girls of this country and for all those people who stood in line to place their "I voted" sticker on Susan B. Anthony's grave. But I didn't just stop (just ate my feelings). All these thoughts in my head weighed me down but they didn't stop me in my tracks. I know we'll be ok. History tells me so. Nonetheless, change needs to happen. Not from the White House, from the people of this beautiful country.
We need to listen, to everyone. We need to read. To ask questions. To step outside what we think we know and look for what we might be missing. To have opinions with doors, not walls.
My heart broke when I watched the protests that took place after the election was called. This is not us. To act in the very way Trump supporters were criticized for acting is unacceptable. Grieve. Grieve with your friends, your families and a sleeve of Oreos. But do not, I repeat, do not count out the other half by an angry unorganized protest. You will simply become what you despise.
We have to listen. We have to extend a hand and ask, "Why did you feel ignored?" "Why are you fearful of the now future?"
Because I am fearful. I need to know that we will be ok and be an inclusive country that accepts all. I need to know that Muslims will be ok, that the LGBTQ community will be ok, that African Americans and Hispanics will be ok, that women will be ok and that the white middle class will be ok because we are all Americans and we are not all bad. Many voted one way or another for personal and legitimate concerns, not out of hate. There will always be the extremist. We know this. However, no one has the right to invalidate a person's reason for voting when a genuine worry is at the heart of it. Instead we need to talk. Have a conversation and meet somewhere in the middle that truly changes this country in a direction for most, if not all. I am proud to be an American, and I will continue to educate, share and fight for that common change and for what is right.
When shit gets hard that is when are best CAN come out. My dad told me so after discussing the results of the election. I fear, however, that the actions of some during the Trump protests seen across the country may dim and invalidate our voices. People across the nation have been chomping at the bit to criticize any negative response to the election and now they have their ammo. Fight for what you believe in, and never stop, but assure that you are leading your words and actions in the best possible direction. It is when you fail to do so the most important message is lost among the chaos.
I believe in this country. I believe that we can fight for what is right. The question we must ask ourselves now is, “How can we all be heard the loudest?”
The first step is by talking with each other, not at each other.
