America, you were assaulted.
And while you are slumped unconscious behind a dumpster right now, what I want you to know is we won’t leave you there.
America, we won’t let you die.
I wrote an article for Elephant Journal that was published back when hope in the fortitude of our already great country was still alive.
You can read it here: Her
It was shared by thousands of people, and went “viral” which made me believe even more that the good will of the people would prevail. It also struck a nerve with many who were quick to tell me that Hillary was corrupt, and that blindly “voting with my vagina” was my only agenda for writing it. I can assure you that while my vote for Hillary had the potential to support a major historical event, it was based mainly on her platform and her many years of experience serving in public office. It was amazing to me, how many people truly harbor extreme hatred for Hillary Clinton even though the damaging lies and myths surrounding her have long been refuted and debunked. While I understood fully, when I cast my vote yesterday, that I was voting for an imperfect human being, I believed in my heart that I was making the right choice.
The comments left on the Elephant Journal Facebook page, Instagram, and the article on the website itself were nothing short of scary.
And now these same people want me to “support and respect” our new president. They want me to support a sniffing man who likes to point his finger at everyone else when things go wrong, but then credit himself when things go right. A lying, cheating man who is currently accused of rape. A man who told his opponent on national television that his first order of business would be to put her behind bars. A man who is suddenly hailing her achievements and thanking her for her unwavering service to the American people. A man who wants us all to forgive and forget the hateful, hurtful rhetoric of his campaign. Sniff, sniff.
Before I can support, and “see” what is to come, I will grieve profoundly because a man who during his candidacy showed us that he knows no bounds, has no discretion, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants, just became the President of the United States.
Anger and fear elected our next President.
A “forgotten” group of American people kicked their misguided rage through the uprights in the end zone and took home the win. And a rather large group of American women who still innately feel that they “deserve” to be punished decided once again to defer decision making to a man.
Mr. Trump is now our President. He is planning to “wing” it, and he thinks it will be easy to change laws and policies. He thinks that most choices are black and white. And if you think for one second that he’s prepared to take office and lead the country simply because he’s had some financial success, please think again. I find it very hard to believe that he has what it takes to unite a broken country. But, in saying that, I am open to the possibility that he will learn quickly, and listen to all people – not just the ones who elected him.
Time will tell. And as time passes, women will continue to be groped, the climate will continue to change, gun sales will continue to multiply, and people still won’t have jobs.
One thing I know to be true is that we can’t continue to let this shocking election divide us. We must rise to serve and save our America. The one behind the dumpster. She needs us now, and we have to go get her. We have to bring her to safety and nurse her back to health.
I will unabashedly persist in standing up for women’s rights, animal rights, children’s rights, and the rights of our planet. I will continue to fight the good fight with love and inclusion in my heart. Our lives matter and depend on my fight. Our lives depend on the fight in all of us.
Despite the unknown, and the opposing viewpoints, and the very clear divide in our country, I will continue to tilt my chin up, and look to be the “change” required for progress. I will continue to ask provocative questions about double standards in politics. And I will continue to shine some light on what it takes to be a resilient woman.
For all those who choose to listen to the ideas and beliefs of others and entertain reality with an objective, kind heart, I salute you. Our diversity (in thought, word, and action) will be our greatest strength if we practice it peacefully. Continuing to change and learn via open lines of thoughtful communication is what being human is essentially about. When we build walls that block the open lines, we seal ourselves off inside dark, desolate places that will never receive the positive energy or light required for growth.
Right now, more than ever, we do not need another wall.
America, you sweet, freedom-loving woman – you will not be held back forever. Along with so many others, I will not let your dreams die. I believe in you, and I will not leave you bound and broken on the floor.
Remember, hope is the thing that fights.
My beautiful America, I believe in you because I am you, and you are me, and together we will be strong.
And we will continue to fight for the good of our blessed country.