"I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling, but someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now. And to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and to achieve your own dreams." - Hillary Clinton
(photo taken by my sister, Heather Finn)
I have no words. Why am I writing a blog post then? Who knows?
I am numb from the election. I feel numb. I've never been so disappointed and so upset over humanity before. There are so many racist, xenophobic, sexist (and all the other -ists) in this country (and I know in the world as well). I knew that there were some - I just didn't know how many - and some are even people I know.
I was watching the election with my friends and drinking beer - you know, to cope. Once I got home and he-who-must-not-be-named was elected, I cried. I cried for like 40 minutes. My heart felt broken. The next morning, I cried again. I cried while watching Hillary's concession speech.
But now that my crying is over and I felt what I needed to feel, I'm ready to fight for what I believe in.
I am a white person. I am not targeted by our new president. I didn't and don't wake up in fear because of my race. I know that today and for four years, people are going to be scared to get out of bed and continue living their lives because of the parts of their identity that they can't change. I promise that when you need me to protest and fight alongside you, I will. If I see hate against you, I will stand by your side.
I hate that Hillary lost. I hate that for the time being, hate won.
Of course, when I am feeling a bunch of feelings, I go on Tumblr and read posts that are true but depressing:
But one thing I love about humanity are those that gather together to support one another in the community. Those who hold out a helping hand. Those who come together because they have more love in their hearts than hate.
We may have lost the election, but we will not lose the fight.
I'm one of those people that believes everything happens for a reason. This is one of those unfortunate "things" that happens for some reason. I believe that it was a horrible thing to have happened - having hate win - but, I think it had to happen in order for us to produce some real change.
"Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, rage against the dying of the light."
xx