Tag Archives: Mike Pence

How I’m Dealing with the 2016 Election Results

As a blogger I try to stay away from politics. It’s not really what this blog is about and no matter what side I take, I’d be alienating someone in my audience. However, the shocking and saddening results of the 2016 election have caused me to break my silence.

2016-election

I want to start out by saying that I don’t care who you voted for. This is a nation where we can peacefully disagree and still be friends and most importantly fellow Americans. Some of the best political conversations I’ve had were with people that I disagree with. I like to ask them why they feel that way rather than just arguing with them. Hearing their side has really made me understand the issues and my own beliefs better. Plus, it makes the conversation insightful rather than negative. If we’re going to prevail over the next four years we need to do more listening than arguing.

Personally, I was not impressed with either candidate. I don’t think either of them really represented me, the struggles of the middle class or understood the challenges facing Millennials. However, one of them didn’t brag about groping women or insult minorities making her far more favorable in my eyes. Like most of the country, I didn’t expect this outcome. When I watched the results, I felt like I was in an episode of Black Mirror where an evil dictator managed to turn the clock back 50 years without a time machine. However, I’m beginning to understand what really happened and how everyone got this election so wrong. This article in Harvard Business Review basically sums it up.

The Day After

The day after the election I was at the airport. Feeling down I called my Mom so we could talk about it. Having a mother from Venezuela has exposed me to an entirely new culture and often gives me a different perspective on things. Sitting at my gate we both expressed our shock and sadness that someone who openly promoted hate won. She then told me that she’ll now think twice about speaking in public depending on where she is for fear of being mistreated for having an accent. Despite being a United States citizen for almost 30 years, my mother was afraid to simply talk in public. When we got off the phone, it all set in for me and I cried until it was time to board the plane. I sat in a window seat. When I looked out the window and saw an American flag design on the wing, I looked at it through completely different eyes.

My Biggest Worry

Each day since November 8th I’ve been sick to my stomach with worry that this unexpected victory may have normalized the mistreatment of certain groups of people. When I was a kid people often asked me about my housekeeper or my nanny and I never had a housekeeper or a nanny. They were talking about my Mom. While there’s nothing wrong with being a housekeeper or a nanny, Latina women can be other things too.

When my parents were in grad school in Colorado, a racist neighbor living in the apartment next door left for the weekend leaving the Tom Petty song “Refugee” on repeat at the highest volume. He wanted to send a message to my mother and to this day neither of my parents can listen to that song. While sitting on the plane, I wondered if the results of this election had normalized this type of hateful and unacceptable behavior. I’m terrified of the way many people in this country could be treated or are being treated now that hate has somehow been legitimized.

Taking Action

Hate should never win no matter who is president. Therefore, it’s our duty as Americans and decent human beings to stand up to hate and oppression whenever we see it. Don’t be silent. Use your right to free speech to stand up for what’s right. If you see someone marginalizing another human being because of their race, nationality, religion, LGBT status, gender or whatever make it known that you won’t stand for that type of behavior. Empathy can go a long way so don’t be afraid to show it even if you have to go out of your way.

Another thing that terrifies me about the current state of our government is that women’s rights and our reproductive rights could very much be questioned over the next four years. To do my part to protect these rights, today I donated to Planned Parenthood and Emily’s List. If those causes aren’t for you, here’s a list of more charities that need your help in the wake of these election results. If you don’t have money to give you can still make a difference by speaking up for what you believe in and standing up for others.

Wow that was long! Thanks so much for listening. When things like this happen, it’s great to just have someone to talk to. I hope you appreciated that I wrote this without ever mentioning either of the candidates names. I’m just tired of hearing them and didn’t want to write them. Hopefully, you found it refreshing too.

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