We Will Persevere Because We Must

I was so sure she would win. So confident. But my confidence didn’t stem from what the polls were predicting. It didn’t stem from the fact that Clinton crushed Trump in all three presidential debates. It didn’t stem from thinking that each one of Trump’s various scandals would be the final nail in his coffin.

I was confident she would win because I couldn’t entertain the opposite. I couldn’t bring myself to believe that a Trump victory was possible. I didn’t know what a Trump presidency means for this country, for marginalized groups, and for the world. I still can’t begin to imagine.

I am fearful for everyone who is not a straight, white, cisgender man. I’m fearful for women, POC, Mexican-Americans, Muslim-Americans, people with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ community. I’m fearful for people who could only gain access to healthcare through the Affordable Care Act. I’m worried that Roe v. Wade will be overturned, and we will return to a time when back-alley abortions were commonplace. I’m afraid I’ll lose my right to marry. I'm afraid the Supreme Court is going to be dominated by Republicans. I’m afraid that all of the hatred, violence, and racism that Donald Trump has normalized will destroy the lives of marginalized Americans.

I can’t stop crying. I have to wipe the tears off my keyboard as I type.

I feel stupid and naive. I really thought more people understood why Hillary Clinton was the only option for President, but I’m learning I’m further removed from the average blue collar American than I previously thought. I knew I lived in a liberal bubble, but didn’t fully realize how large that bubble was.

Well now my liberal bubble has popped. Through my tears, I see the world we live in. It’s one where fear trumps all. Fear trumps all logic and facts. It trumps the ability to think about anyone outside of ourselves. It trumps human decency. 

It’s a world where being openly racist, sexists, and ignorant qualifies you to be the President of the United States.  

I’ve never felt so ashamed of being a white man, and god knows white men have given me plenty to be ashamed about for centuries. White men are the reason Hillary lost the election. They voted for Trump in record numbers in ways the polls didn’t foresee. I don’t understand how.

I feel disgusted. I feel guilty. I feel nauseous.

I want to say something positive, but am at a loss for words. I’m trying to find a silver lining, but see none. The only thing I can say is take care of yourself. We need to engage in self-care now more than ever. We need to reach out to other members of our community and other marginalized communities whose lives are threatened under a Trump presidency.

Always remember, we will persevere. I do believe this. A Trump presidency will set us back decades, but the LGBTQ community, the Mexican-American community, the black community, and Muslim-American community are strong. We have fought for decades, and we will continue to do so.

Now’s not the time to think we’re alone. We must not resign. We must continue being resilient. We must work harder than we have before. We must unite. We must make our voices heard. We must not tolerate any form of bigotry. We must educate.

The next four years ahead of us pose major threats, but we will persevere. I believe this because I have to. I can’t begin to entertain what happens if we don’t.