The Sun Will Rise

It’s been a long night. As the hours ticked by and the outcome of this election became clear, my heart was left deflated. At the wee hour of 1 am I went to bed, knowing that Hillary lost and the hope of the future I had in mind was no longer a feasible reality.

I’m not one to get political on the blog. I am proud that we live in a country where everyone has a voice, and try not to enter into the alienating nature of politics in this space because, when it comes down to it, we’re all just trying to stand for what we believe is best. But this morning felt different. I woke up feeling heartbroken, and judging from the incredible amount of tearful posts on social media, I’m not the only one.

I’m not writing this post to bash Trump, or his supporters. That’s not what I’m about. But I do want to be real with you. While I’m typically very optimistic, I’m saddened by the outcome of what I believe to be a hate-filled election. To have a candidate voted in who has in many cases shown actions that have taken two steps back for minorities, women and those with disabilities alike feels shocking. I’m scared for our nation’s economy and future. I hope I’m wrong in my fears; I hope our leadership proves to be strong and just.

All that said, we need to move forward together. We all have a responsibility to better our country, and that starts with each and every single one of us. Love still trumps hate. With that, I’d like to share a few words from President Obama. He created a video prior to the election last night that truly inspires hope.

“We’ve been through tough and divisive elections before, and we’ve always come out stronger for it. That’s what makes America special. The idea that, while progress isn’t guaranteed, each of us has the power to choose our path. Not just on nights like this, but on every day in between. It is a beautiful and fragile gift, and we should treat it that way. So whether your chosen candidates win or lose tonight, let’s all agree not only to stay engaged, but to push ourselves to do even better. To vote not just when a president is on the ballot, but for congress and mayor and school board and dog catcher. To educate ourselves on the issues and join  with our neighbors in tackling the ones that face our communities. And most importantly, to see each other not simply as Democrats or Republicans, but as fellow Americans. To treat each other with the respect and empathy and kinship that title – American – commands. That’s something we can bring with everything we do, online and off. We can choose to see the best in one another. Remember, no matter what happens, the sun will rise in the morning, and America will still be the greatest nation on earth.”

For those who are feeling a bit lost today, I hope these words give you a glimmer of hope. I hope they serve as a big internet hug for you. Most of all, I hope we all can unite together for the better, and to move forward in a productive manner. Let’s stop name calling, blaming, and focusing on the negative. It makes me sad to see posts swarming that are filled with so much judgement, no matter what “side” you’re on. Let’s be proactive.

I do believe there is a lot of hope on the horizon; I believe that our country has and always will be great. And if we all continue to work together, the way forward will be bright no matter who is leading.

In closing, I just have to say one thing to Hillary Clinton and all the amazing, headstrong, confident, trailblazing women out there who are doing their part to make a difference: Stay nasty.

Photos by Frank McKenna & Brooke Cagle via Unsplash