To the many who are heartbroken over the election,
It is more than understandable for African Americans, Muslims, LGBTQ, Latino/as, and women to be hurt, confused, and disappointed after hearing the news that Donald Trump has won the presidency. It has left many of us wondering how this could have happened. How could the majority of our country support such deep hatred, fear, and bigotry? It can feel like all of the progress that has been made in our country will be diminished, and many are rightfully scared.
If this is true for you, then by all means have your mourning period but at the end of the day know this: this is not the end.
Look back and see all of the challenges that each of the before mentioned groups has faced throughout history and know that they are strong. Suffrage, the Civil Rights Movement, the legalization of gay marriage. These events continue to be relevant and the same rights are fought for every day in our country. As a part of the American people, we preserve. This is not the end, although it may feel that way. It will only be the end if we let it become that way. If we continue to hold our integrity, and courage above all else; if we continue to remain educated on what is happening in our communities, our states, our country, and our world. If we continue to support one another and choose love over hate for everyone, then this is far from the end of America.
Clinton supporter speechless at election night party.
For those of you that are pleased with the results from election day, congratulations, you are afforded the right to have your opinion. But we ask you, take away the questions of taxes, Russia, and gun control laws, and think just on a human level. Please try and empathize with the Muslim man standing next to you, and try and understand why he, as a peaceful American, might be scared for himself and his family. Please try and empathize for the mother you see on your morning drive who has been waiting for eight years to tell her daughter that she can do anything she wants in life, including becoming president of the United States.
To everyone in our country, regardless of who is in the white house at any time, we as a nation must have respect for each other. We must choose to love. We must continue to vote. We must continue to have faith in our country and it’s citizens. Patriotism is not dead- it is redefined. The world keeps on spinning and the sun will continue to rise.
photos courtesy of Mashable: http://mashable.com/2016/11/09/clinton-supporters-depressed/#cIbUGtDrnSqf