I could not in good conscience post anything new without addressing this first.
I do not pretend that I know much of politics, debate, or even to some extent, social issues within our country. We are now facing a stranger future than any of us (literally anyone I know) have ever imagined. I'm not saying this to be dramatic. I moved from a very blue state to another very blue state. (You already know this if you read my last post.) With the exception of some friends who are religiously conservative, most people I know were with her. Most polling indicated she would win. There was so much hope. I had so much hope.
But I was ignorant. I did not know how many people desired change simply for change's sake. I didn't know how deep the racism, homophobia and hate was in our country. I also did not know how many people simply didn't vote, (almost half of the eligible voters in the country.) I wept because I didn't know how this could have happened. A week later, it still doesn't seem real.
I may have taken this outcome more personally than most. Prior to the election, I was on my own journey of healing after dealing with sexual discrimination at work. Months of trying to get back to normal, to regain confidence, and to know that I was good at my job and make peace with the past. My partner told me something that will stick with me: "You can't yell at a wound and expect it to heal. You have to give it time."
The healing process will take a long, long time for our country. It will take a long time for me too. I've been torn between trying to find peace in the situation and fighting like hell; between trying to gain understanding of what this means for our nation's future and fighting like hell for justice and against those who threaten freedom for all Americans. Whether you chose to fight or find peace, I'm not sure it is possible to have both... Either way, I love you.
But for those who are hurting, who are scared and who are frustrated, take a deep breath first. It's the only way I've gotten through the past week. Take courage, speak and act with love, even if we don't understand. Even if we could never understand.