Elections: A Note on the Future
The morning after the election, following a night of half-sleep and tears, I called my dad. I asked if he'd broken the news to my 4-year-old brother, Sammy, of who his new President was. My dad said he had. The only thing my little brother asked in response was, "Why?"My dad didn't have an answer, and I don't really have one either. I don't think most of us do. Sure, you could point to the lack of Democratic appeal for working-class whites, or less support amongst blacks and Latinos for Clinton than Obama had, or just the way the Electoral College has come to disproportionately represent our electorate. But, for me, my only answer came with fear.I'm scared for the 16-year-old Syrian refugee I met a few months ago named Rodi. Him and his family had struggled for years to escape their war-torn country and find their way to America. They were hard workers. Rodi was even an accomplished musician. What will happen to them now?I'm scared for the Latinas in my SMC dance class. From talking to them, I know that most of their parents or grandparents were immigrants from Mexico, some of whom probably came here illegally. What will happen to their families?I'm scared for my black peers, neighbors, and community members who got to see the glory of finally having proper representation in the White House, only to have it taken away by a man endorsed by the KKK. Will we walk back behind the hard-fought lines we've crossed?And I'm scared for myself and my fellow women. Because my pu**y is not up for grabs.Love won on June 26, 2015 when gay marriage was legalized across the United States. Love won on Nov. 4, 2008 when we elected our first African-American president.Love won on Aug. 6, 1965 when minorities' voting rights became legally protected with the signing of the Voting Rights Act.Love won on Aug. 18, 1920 when the constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote was ratified.We all know that love didn't win on Nov. 8, 2016. But, in my heart, I know that love will persevere. Because love trumps hate.And although this election has been one of demagogues and racism more than Democrats and Republicans, we will come together again. I don't know when that'll happen or how but, that's what we are here for. When you don't have someone advocating for you, you must become your own advocate. We don't have a choice any more as to who takes office on Jan. 20, 2017. But we do have a choice to fight. I'm making that choice. So should you.