I have been at work for the past hour and a half and I have yet to do any work related tasks. Why might you ask? I am utterly heartbroken due to Donald Trump being elected president, all of the branches of the government leaning in the direction of the Republican party, and Nebraska reinstating the death penalty. I am heartbroken that enough people that share my nationality thought it was appropriate to vote for all of these things at one time.
I have several friends and family that leaned right this election or didn't side with her. I respect your right to make your own decisions and I am proud to say that most of the people I know voted, but forgive me for asking what the hell were you thinking. We just elected someone who has made promises to oppress anyone that is not a white, heterosexual, conservative, wealthy male. We just turned the house and the senate into a vehicle that will potentially support all of our "president's" hateful rhetoric. We just made it legal to kill people in Nebraska who made mistakes that of course they should atone for, but not DIE for.
I considered taking PTO today, but instead I sit at my desk holding back tears (and occasionally letting them out because I am actually a cry baby and this is too much for my heart and my emotions). I did not take PTO because my clients are the very people that our "president" would like to wash out of our country. My clients are primarily people of color that are in the LGBTQ community. I have to be here to let them know that someone still is. I cannot imagine the fear and sadness that they are experiencing.
I am a person of privilege. I am a white, middle-class, heterosexual, college educated person with high hopes of getting a higher degree. I have to put myself back together so that I can support those who need it more than I do. Let us all hug our loved one's a little tighter and remember that we have to stay and do hard things. We have to advocate until we cannot advocate anymore. We have to educate ourselves. We have to speak up. We have to show the young people in our world that the next four years of their life will not define the rest of their life.
As for my friends and family who are conservative. PLEASE prove me wrong. Please recognize the oppressed as dignified, holy, human beings. Open your hearts. Open your minds. Consider the long term effects of the legislation that our "president" has promised. Please take the next four years to define your political party in a better way than it is politically defined currently.
As for my generation. We have a lot of work to do and I know that we can do it. We are young. We are spry. We are intelligent. We are compassionate. Please don't run away to Canada. We need you to make this country what we know it can be, the American Dream, a place where no matter your identity, you feel loved and safe.
I needed to get these feelings off my chest because I am an emotional wreck. That noted, I am sorry if this does not make sense. However, I am not sorry if you are offended now that I live in a wildly offensive country. Promote Peace. Promote Love. Promote Justice.
