Initial reaction: shock, followed closely by disbelief. Around 1:00 this morning, when the winner was announced, I felt horrified. I went to class and work, and got depressed. My initial post was going to be one of mourning, about how we are in a huge problem, that we (as Americans) have seriously messed up, and that impending doom is soon to follow.
(Hint: I am not a Trump supporter.
I "voted my conscience", but I absolutely supported a Hillary win.
In fact, I--like the rest of the world--assumed that she would win... major oversight on my part.)
Then a really classy lady, often adorned in a colorful pantsuit, gave a speech that made me re-evaluate my politically charged post.
I'm a political junkie, but I've refrained from commenting or sharing or voicing my opinion online during this tumultuous election. It's not because I was embarrassed or ashamed, but it's because I was in the process of forming an opinion. Hear me out on this thought that I've gradually formed over the past several months/years.
It is my opinion, not fact or law. Thanks to a loving God, I am free to have that opinion.
Thanks to the men and women who have fought to preserve the United States of America and ideals of freedom throughout the world, I am able to express that opinion. Thanks to many women in this world, I know that my opinion is worth something--if only to me.
The opinion I've formed is this: we will be okay.
The big problem facing Americans is not an overwhelming debt or impossible healthcare or unpredictable economy or out-of-control pollution. Those are, indeed, enormous problems, but it is not the most critical challenge.
The big problem facing America today, post-election, is how we are going to unite.
Walls are up between Republicans and Democrats and third-parties. Loud, mean, belittling, hard walls. This election has thrown punches at every turn... Not just between parties, but within parties! All the fighting has created a "yuge" division between Americans. A war of words and accusations and conspiracy has bombarded its way through the United States this year.
But it is not the first war we've seen. We've been down paths of division before, and while it may have been hard and ugly, we got through. A wonderful song comes to mind:
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
So, as we start this new chapter in history, I plead with everyone to stop being prejudiced. Instead of jumping to a defense, walk around in someone's shoes and find out their perspective. Quit assuming people are ignorant or oblivious. Treat everyone as an equal, dignified, precious human being. Be kind and generous in thought and action. See the best in others; if you can't see it, find it.
Don't be a bully.
Just because you disagree with someone does not mean that you need to be disagreeable.
We are all different. We all have our different opinions and fears and reasons and experiences: respect them. Learn from them. The Word of the Day today is syncretism. Chew on that.
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| http://www.dictionary.com/wordoftheday/2016/11/09/syncretism |
Trailblazers
Now, to Secretary Hillary Clinton, for whom I have an enormous amount of appreciation, I would like to personally say, as a woman: thank you.
On behalf of every girl who has ever lost to an unqualified, obtuse guy, thank you for trying. Hillary, over the course of your career you have taken many bullets. Words cannot express the contribution you have made, especially for women, in this great country. Thank you for the example you set for me: to do my homework, to turn the other cheek, to be patient, to look beyond my initial assumptions. Those principles were not wasted. They were part of your reputation and an example for future women to follow.
Thank you for fighting this battle. Thank you for adding one more punch to that glass ceiling. Thank you for fighting for underappreciated priorities. You didn't win an election, but you won my respect. You deepened my resolve to keep fighting for us, for women.
Many references to Susan B. Anthony and women's rights have been made this week. Many comparisons have been made with her and you: the gender battle continues. While neither of you got to experience the reward of your efforts, where would we be without it? Susan didn't get to vote. Hillary isn't president. But Hillary did get to vote this week, and so did I. Someday, a woman will be president, and she will only have gotten there because of the thousands of efforts of women (and men) before her.
I repeat the scripture you quoted this morning: "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9-10).
To Mr. Trump, I offer you a chance to lead. This will be my challenge: following my own advice. I will work to keep an open and supportive mind. I will do my part to contribute to the United States of America. I hope you do the same.
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| The flag is still there. |
#presidentialelection2016
#Trump
#HillaryClinton2016
#women
#GodBlesstheUSA
