Angry: NaBloPoMo Day 9
November 10, 2016
Like so many others, I’ve spent the last 24 hours in shock, anger and deep sadness. I never thought I’d be one to cry over politics, but my face was wet with hot tears many times today. Today, I let myself feel it all, especially the anger.
- I’m angry that 80% of Christians elected a man who in no way shows Christ to the world.
- I’m angry that my daughter will turn 4 years old on the very day Trump is sworn into office: a man whose own words have over and over again degraded her gender.
- I’m angry that America’s first black president will be succeeded by a president endorsed by the KKK.
- I’m angry that so many consider this a victory for the unborn, when there is no evidence that Trump is pro-life, but there is overwhelming evidence that he sees little value in many, many lives who are already here.
- I’m angry that immigrants, Muslims and blacks have been stereotyped and used as political props instead of acknowledged as REAL PEOPLE
- I’m angry for my friend who is terrified her special needs children will lose their medical coverage.
- I’m angry for my friend whose five year old child, who is black, said “Donald Trump doesn’t like families like ours.”
- I’m angry that I have many, many other friends who are genuinely fearful as to what this means for their families, marriages, and access to medical care.
- I’m angry for those who had to explain to their children this morning that their country chose a bully as the winner of the election. I’m feel both relief and guilt that my children are too young to have to discuss this.
- I’m angry with all the “God is in control” rhetoric that is everywhere today. Yes, that’s true, but it doesn’t erase the hurt that so many marginalized people are feeling. God’s control doesn’t stop people from making horrible decisions that horribly affect people’s lives.
- I’m angry that white privilege is so prevalent in my community, and yet so many are so naïve to the implications of that privilege.
I know I can’t live, or survive, in this anger. Despite my emotions, Donald Trump is going to be President in January. Nothing I say or feel will change that. Tomorrow, I hope to turn this anger into more resolve to make an impact where I can: in my home, for my friends, and in my community.
I have felt exactly the same under Obama for 8 years. The relief and shock I felt this morning were shocking, I had no idea the amount of stress his reign had left my family with… So I sympathize- after a couple years it gets easier.
Do you mind my asking how his “reign” had the same affect on your family?
Elizabeth, you continue to do a better job of articulating how I feel than I ever could. Thank you for finding the words to share your feelings, and for putting them out there, despite knowing that so many who won't understand them are reading.
We slept with a shotgun beside us. We bought extra security for our home and cars. We increased our life insurance and savings, we ate a lot of beans. We worried constantly about not saying the right PC thing and getting in trouble with someone..The insane jumps in costs in health insurance that prohibit many from using what they are forced to buy… it has been the worst 8 years in American history and I had no idea exactly how bad until I woke up yesterday morning finally feeling like the weight had been lifted. Well, for awhile the shotgun stays but once folks settle down. So I can relate- not having Hillary as your leader and feeling as badly about Trump as we felt about Obama, I know the stress you are going to be dealing with for the next 4 years at least. Hang in there!
Crime went down under Obama across the board. Free access to guns increased dramatically, not decreased. Yes health care costs increased for a lot of people (but not insanely), but millions of people got health care for the first time, literally saving millions of lives/getting treatment to millions. Gay people were finally given a modicum of dignity by being allowed to legally get married: *Literally no person on earth* was negatively affected by this other than the irrational and utterly untrue thought that their religious liberty or something imaginary was affected. This is just the fantasy of Christians/white people being persecuted by a black president. Christians/white people are literally the only group (as a group) in America that have never been oppressed. Worst 8 years in America History? WE LITERALLY HAD A CIVIL WAR.
This is the first time I've ever been completely dreadful of a presidency. My heart is crushed that SO many people carry such prejudice and hatred. And even if they don't, that they can support a person who expresses those horrible traits on a routine basis. It's not okay and I refuse to let him get by because “we're all human”. We just elected a person with ZERO political experience into the most prestigious and important political position.
Thank you, Dave. Just… Thank you for this. And that's coming from a libertarian, not a liberal.