This last Tuesday we witnessed the most decisive election in american politics come to an end, one that many find the results of disgusting, horrific, terrific and wonderful. People across all states are passionate and loud and many different articles and reporters across every news network are trying to give an article that can truly define what has happened, but this... this isn't an article about any of that.
This isn't an article about the results of that election.
This isn't an article about the triumph or failure of democracy.
This isn't an article
It's a plea, a desperate plea to everyone... and a story...
On Tuesday November 8th 2016, I walked to my classes doing everything that I normally would do on an average Tuesday. Nothing was special about my walk as nothing ever is.Then I went home and watched the election.
On Wednesday November 9th 2016, I started the day normally, I got up, got on the school bus line and began walking to my class... but then I stopped.
On this day, one day after the most heated and passionate election, I saw something that brought tears to my eyes, that shook me to my core and made me so angry, I couldn't think straight.
I saw this little sign with the words "Jesus Ain't White" broken and destroyed by someone.
I have gone to the University of California Irvine for going on three years and this little sign has been there my entire career. Sometimes it was larger, sometimes there was a bike holding it up, but always was it present and left alone.
I don't know what the next four years hold, and I don't know what is going to happen to anyone close to me...
but I swear to God, leave the sign alone.
What ever this sign was trying to say to anyone that passed by, I couldn't give a damn less, but what has happened, what SOMEONE has done to this sign by trying to physically destroy an opinion, is an attack on everything that makes us American, EVERYTHING that makes us who we are. If we use violence to silence others, we are nothing more than animals.
This FACT goes both ways, to those who believe that the election was the downfall of our civilization, protest all you want, but don't you DARE harm anyone because they disagree OR because they seek to protect others. And for those who think the election was a sound success, don't YOU dare use this election to JUSTIFY your position to commit violent or abusive acts against others or their opinions... It's not right... it's not fair... It's not human
To those who destroyed this sign, whether out of frustration or anger... I hope that I will never meet you... What you did, is unforgivable. To act like this... its beyond words for me to describe how angry I feel. I cannot hope to describe my feelings...
My plea, my desperate plea for everyone: Please for the love of God have empathy for others, care for the suffering of others, and protect everyone from mistreatment, abuse or neglect. I don't care who you are or what you did... but no one deserves have their opinions silenced, their worries undermined, and their hope destroyed...
I don't enjoy asking this, but please everyone... share this small story and plea with everyone... if you only ever share any story or idea that I write only once... this is the one I would want shared over anything else.
