That was my first thought, that awful morning of November 9th (I went to bed before the official results were in). That, and an overwhelming sadness. I somehow couldn't cry. I just ached and ached. It felt exactly as it does when someone close to you dies. That pain that you can't escape from, that awful awful knowledge that you can't un-know.
That first thought was soon replaced, though, by a more honest thought -- I love my country. I really really do. My project to read a biography of every US president (stalled, currently, on William Henry Harrison, but I'll get on with it soon) has led me to a much greater understanding of, and devotion to, my country and the ideals and compromises on which it was founded.
That is why I am so very unhappy: we have elected an idiot who does not believe in any democratic ideals. Who is going to do everything he can to dismantle our rights and freedoms. Oh yes, he's going to give more rights and freedoms to big business. But to regular people? Our lives are worth nothing to him. Nor is freedom of speech, freedom of the press, etc. Freedom to own an assault weapon, sure, we've got that. I feel so much better.
At the same time, I don't believe the election was rigged. I believe he won it (more or less) fairly, if you discount all the amazing lies it took to get him there, both his and those perpetuated by the altRight media, Russia's many contributions via WikiLeaks, etc. It's telling that Hillary won the popular vote, but Trump did win the Electoral College. So I'm not going to walk around with a sign that says "Not My President," though I might go for one that says "Love Trumps Hate." I did sign the change.org petition to get the Electoral College to vote for Hillary (https://www.change.org/p/electoral-college-electors-electoral-college-make-hillary-clinton-president-on-december-19?source_location=discover_feed), with over 3 million signatures to date, but I won't throw a fit if the electors vote the way they're supposed to. Just sending a message, ya know?
I think it's really important for those of us who consider this a disaster to fight against all the awful legislation we've got coming down the pike (assuming it's all awful, and I'm willing to believe that some of it might not be, in which case I'll support it). Write letters. Hold peaceful demonstrations and marches. Give money to liberal causes, looking ahead to the midterm elections in two years. Protect the environment. And try to protect everyone in your community who might be in danger of a hate crime, deportation, or whatever else Trump's minions come up with.
I don't see myself as a victim here. I'm white, I'm not Muslim, I'm not LGBTQ, my family's been here since the 1600s, I'm too old to need an abortion. The ways in which Trump legislation might hurt me directly are unknown to me right now. That means I need to help other people, the ones who will be hurt by this.
I am trying to figure out how best to do that. I imagine opportunities will arise as time goes on. I will be waiting for them. Four years is a long time.I want my little boys to grow up in a world where truth is valued, where Fox News, Drudge, and Breitbart do not control our lives.
A world where "President Trump" is only a bad dream.
No comments:
Post a Comment