Like many others, I found myself feeling barren following the results of the election. When I say that there were more than a few tears, I mean it.
I found myself questioning everything. What are we going to do? What has this country come to? What about women? What about people in the LGBTQ community? What about BIPOC communities? What about literally everything else?
Finding balance after the election was difficult, but as I began to reflect on the administration under Donald Trump that we endured, I felt that little tingle in my chest.
My good old friend, hope.
I understand that with the severity of our situation, this may come off as extremely ignorant and privileged. Please, stick with me.
The day after the election, the high was 77 degrees in New York City. We are running out of time.
We can waste time arguing about how this came to be, but the reality is that the conservative heart of America has been beating hard for these last four years. This is how we have someone like Trump come into power, not just once but twice.
During the first Trump administration, social activism was far more pervasive than it has been within the last four years. People who occupied liberal mindsets but tended to stay in the shadows chose to come out and fight for what was right.
The extremity of the situation prompted them to do so, especially in 2020.
Kamala Harris was our only opportunity to have a somewhat civilian lifestyle for the next four years, and we have lost that. To rub salt in the wound, we now face a reality where people’s lives are truly in danger like never before.
Please don’t get me wrong, a civilian lifestyle sounds great. I, just as much as anyone else, would love to keep chugging along with life “normally.” However, we all need to accept that we are out of time.
Our planet is dying. Civility is a luxury we can no longer afford.
While it is unfortunate that our country has landed itself on this conservative, authoritarian path, I am not sure if there is anything else capable of motivating a large number of people in this country into action.
It is time to get to work.
Our planet won’t be fixed unless we address these core issues. The only way to do that is to stand up, get involved and fight back.
The world, and our country, is a scary place right now. Thinking of the future is nothing short of horrifying.
However, where there is darkness, there is the opportunity for light. And we have been given an opportunity.
As difficult as it may be to remain hopeful, this is our chance to make the social change we have called for.
With a country so deeply divided as ours and a planet on its way out, activism is our only option.
If you are scared, please know I am right there with you. I weep with you. I despair with you. I fear with you. Please, do not let fear get the best of you. Try to remain optimistic.
They want us to be afraid. They want us to weep, despair and cower. They want us to be fearful and obedient.
We have a real opportunity to unite and progress towards good within this country. So please, don’t give up.
Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for obedience.