Post Election Thoughts
As I type this, hundreds of people are marching throughout downtown Los Angeles, CA.
These protests have been going on the past few nights, not only here but in other states in America as well. Sitting here, still shocked by what's taken place this past week has left me in a profound heartache. The night of, I felt disbelief. It's as if no one saw it coming. For months on end I've heard so many joke at the possibility of this cruel human being becoming America's next president. I never saw him getting far when he ran to become a candidate for the Republicans yet here we are.
I'm beyond angry. I'm beyond upset and it's not because my chosen candidate did not win.
This is not just a Democratic thing.
It's a humanist thing.
I felt that a vote for Donald Trump is the equivalent of a vote for racism.
A vote for Donald Trump is saying that sexism and misogyny is totally fine.
No harm done. (?!?!)
I will never understand how human beings with empathy could vote that way, regardless of how much you might hate how the whole system is corrupt.
Hillary was not my first choice but I started supporting her after I supported Bernie Sanders.
Well, I'm not saying anything new here. For the past few days I've listened to some public figures I respect and agree with.
'We stand up and we fight back.'
I've listened to Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders and various others.
On one hand, I feel that Donald Trump could have possibly been campaigning with just shock value. Now that he's past the finish line, he seems to have taken a couple steps back...
He's recently said he would keep some parts of Obamacare... 👍🏼
But who the hell knows? Maybe we really do have to wait and see.
In the past few days I've pondered over what I could do to make a change. What cause could I fight for to help? Volunteer at Planned Parenthood? Stand up for women? The LGBTQ+ community and others?
As an American, I'm appalled and embarrassed...
As a woman in America, I don't feel safe. After years of childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault by various men in my adulthood, Trump seems to send out the message that this is completely ok.
After how many women who came forward accusing him of sexual assault? Yet some women still voted for him?
And then some Americans didn't even vote... to that, I have no words 👎🏼
What is that saying to our children? That our voices don't matter?
As a feminist, I will fight.
As a human fucking being, I will fight.
Coming from a blue state, it feels as if most Californians are on the same wave length. It's as if we are all coming together to fight for what's right.
"We are angry because we want change. That's it. That's what anger is at it's core and what we choose to do with it makes all the difference. What will you do with yours? Will you let it breed crippling fear? Will you use it to reach for magnanimity? Will you make change?" -Ingrid Nilsen
As the coming days roll forward, I choose love and hope and to help people. I'm also wondering how this nation will react and respond to whatever's next.
-Sarah
