The phrase "I have PTSD about..." is an insult to war veterans, rape victims and trauma victims. This I know. So I will not use that phrase. But I will say that as I watched various NYTimes and 538 indicators flip from Hillary Clinton to now President-elect Trump, a discomforting, nauseous feeling overcame me. I spent Tuesday night from 10 PM until midnight sitting in the dark in my living room, texting my closest friends the simple message, "I can't sleep and I can't watch." And over the subsequent 48 hours, I have had a physical discomfort in my epigastrium as I go through the various stages of denial and acceptance.
Some experiences of note that I will not forget over the past two days: Texting with a gay friend before the sun came up about which Muslim, Jewish and other brown friends would join us on his Iowa Compound. Getting trolled by my brother and trying to respond with calm, engaging rebuttal. Counseling a gay friend after her experience of an octogenarian walking up to her and her partner on Milwaukee's East Side and mumbling, "some things won't stand with President Trump." Realizing that I needed to reach out to a Muslim trainee to reassure her that she is a cherished member of our work family. A lot of gut-checking these past two days. But now this evening that feeling of romantic heartburn has finally receded.
I am doubling down on my statement of hope that Trump the man is not the same as Trump the performer. I don't know what that means, but I will not abdicate hope.
And now to what's next. For some the nation-wide protests of Wednesday and Thursday are cathartic spleen-venting and to others they are a way of life. Thankfully the protests have been peaceful as all protests should be. I will not dispute anyone's right to protest but I will argue that now that the catharsis has occurred, it's time to refocus. Not on the Democratic Party. Not on the Congress. Not on the White House. Like it or not, democracy worked on Tuesday -- or at least the justifiable subset of the Electoral College. The racists, sexists, xenophobes and homophobes got their man. But not all Trump supporters are racists, sexists, xenophobes and homophobes. Many, while tolerant of these abominations, are simply disaffected and wont to be rid of the establishment.
As nobody and no one, I call for all who rue this day to demonstrate acts rather than spew words. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, clean a green space, offer a hand to the fallen, turn an adversary into an ally, have a discussion rather than a rant. I've been alive long enough to know that Them always wins Us versus Them. If Us wants compassionate, inclusive, multicultural leaders elected to positions of influence, then it's time to reach out. And it will be easier for Them to hear our words if they know us by our acts.
And for my sake, STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS. Engage in the common physical spaces, not the social media (it's like rain................................)
Some experiences of note that I will not forget over the past two days: Texting with a gay friend before the sun came up about which Muslim, Jewish and other brown friends would join us on his Iowa Compound. Getting trolled by my brother and trying to respond with calm, engaging rebuttal. Counseling a gay friend after her experience of an octogenarian walking up to her and her partner on Milwaukee's East Side and mumbling, "some things won't stand with President Trump." Realizing that I needed to reach out to a Muslim trainee to reassure her that she is a cherished member of our work family. A lot of gut-checking these past two days. But now this evening that feeling of romantic heartburn has finally receded.
I am doubling down on my statement of hope that Trump the man is not the same as Trump the performer. I don't know what that means, but I will not abdicate hope.
And now to what's next. For some the nation-wide protests of Wednesday and Thursday are cathartic spleen-venting and to others they are a way of life. Thankfully the protests have been peaceful as all protests should be. I will not dispute anyone's right to protest but I will argue that now that the catharsis has occurred, it's time to refocus. Not on the Democratic Party. Not on the Congress. Not on the White House. Like it or not, democracy worked on Tuesday -- or at least the justifiable subset of the Electoral College. The racists, sexists, xenophobes and homophobes got their man. But not all Trump supporters are racists, sexists, xenophobes and homophobes. Many, while tolerant of these abominations, are simply disaffected and wont to be rid of the establishment.
As nobody and no one, I call for all who rue this day to demonstrate acts rather than spew words. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, clean a green space, offer a hand to the fallen, turn an adversary into an ally, have a discussion rather than a rant. I've been alive long enough to know that Them always wins Us versus Them. If Us wants compassionate, inclusive, multicultural leaders elected to positions of influence, then it's time to reach out. And it will be easier for Them to hear our words if they know us by our acts.
And for my sake, STOP FEEDING THE TROLLS. Engage in the common physical spaces, not the social media (it's like rain................................)