……..
I’ve sat here for the last few days staring at the cursor. So much to say, but not sure how to say it. Trying to understand, but simply at a loss. Reading, desperate for more information. Trying to absorb all that is around me, coming at me from all angles.
You see, I’m not a political person. Politics has never been of interest me. I know how the system works (or is supposed to work). I vote. But I’ve never been a consumer of information. I never feel entitled to debate anything as I never feel 100% informed. I’m jaded, to be honest. It always seems so shady.
But I am a human being. I am a white woman, with thoughts, feelings, opinions and emotions.
Our country is divided. And with a two party system, it has always been. There will always be Republicans and Democrats. Other parties and independents will come and go, but these two are at the core of our country. As people, we will always fundamentally have disagreements. Pro-life, pro-choice, death penalty, gun laws, global warming, taxes…all of these things keep us divided. And each party is currently fractured, segmented even further. Nothing showed us that more than the primaries.
Our belief systems define us. They influence everything we do and say. And we’re going to disagree…often…over and over. I have many friends and family members that did not vote the same way I did. They don’t believe the same things I do. I may struggle to understand their way of thinking but they are still family.
I do not believe that 50% of our country is racist, sexist, or full of xenophobes. Are there way too many of those types of people? Absolutely. Is it disgusting and unacceptable? Of course. Shameful? Dead on.
But name calling and shaming people for exercising their American right isn’t helping matters. Each candidate had their flaws, as all humans do. Let’s take words like stupid, dumb, idiots out of our vocabulary. We aren’t helping ourselves. You’re entitled to your feelings, but name calling is wrong on both sides. Let’s be better.
Michelle Obama said when they go low, we go high. Right now, I’m not seeing a lot of that.
I know many are angry, confused. We’re all processing. I know I am.
This election was so very different. It unearthed the ugly underbelly of our country. But it also uncovered some good. I’ve read story after story that renews my faith in humanity. For every moment, I’ve been sick to my stomach, I’ve found a piece of good.
Let’s stop attacking each other. Let’s stop placing blame. We have work to do. All of us.
As individuals, we have to decide what’s next. We can band together. We can try and influence others, but ultimately it’s time to look in the mirror and decide how I will move forward. How will I take action? What can I do to make a difference?
There are people in this country who have REAL fear over things that our President Elect has said. Please don’t fault them for this. Please don’t tell them to relax. They aren’t overreacting. They are taking words, promises made and envisioning them coming to fruition.
I stand with my brothers and sisters of color, of the LGBTQ community, of other religions and faiths. I see you. I hear your cries.
Blue collar, white collar. All of America.
We have to breathe. In. Out. One breath at a time. One minute at a time. One day at a time.
We will move forward.
Our broken, battered and weary country will survive this.
Time to get to work.
Andrea Updyke says
Love this and I’m glad to get to work next to you.
Nikol Murphy says
Thank you for this. <3
Kristin says
The only way to know why someone feels the way they do is to understand their experiences. That’s a tough one to do with the emotions that come into play with certain topics.
The positive is that he has opened the door to these conversations. Some fight and are angry, but some are joining forces by volunteering, donating or standing up for their cause. It really could be an interesting turning point for the US
Andrea Bates says
Indeed. So much work to do.
It’s such a mess to watch it unfold in terrifying ways – and feel like there is no end in sight.
Thank you for sharing. I’m glad you sat down to write.