Trump may have won, but hatred doesn't have to.
We are 8 days post Election Day. Donald Trump is our president-elect. In the past 24 hours I have heard of three very hateful incidences that seem to be a direct result of people celebrating the win of a candidate that has overtly and unapologetically been racist, sexist, xenophobic, Islamaphobic and homophobic and insensitive toward disabled people.
In one incident, a bi racial bus driver was attacked by teens who threw hot coffee on her and yelled for her to go back to her country.
In another incident, a young man was hit in the face with a rock and told to go back to Mexico.
The last incident I learned about just a few moments ago. A note was left on a woman's car that read "Unless you want me to make you straight, get out of here Dyke, this is trump-town."
After venting to a few close friends and family members about one or two of the incidents, I remain feeling heavy. My heart is broken. As if the senseless killings of black peoples by law enforcement isn't enough, we now have Trump supporters and fans of his state of mind attacking minorities with the assumption that this is okay. Why? Because a presidential candidate said disgusting things and still was voted into the most powerful office in the country. Why should they have to hide their racism? Why should they have to conduct themselves like human beings with love and respect for all? He didn't, and he is winning. This is the mindset I am convinced that these people have. As much as I have wanted to un-friend Trump supporters for deciding that his racism and sexism wasn't enough to keep him out of office, I haven't because I truly believe that people are entitled to their own beliefs. I feel like though I may not understand what they stand for (or won't stand for), I should not surround myself only with people that think just like me. I am however, wondering how anyone with a shred of human decency and/or compassion, will excuse actions like the ones listed above. Convincing ourselves that this election has nothing to do with it would simply be naive in my opinion.
So I ask myself. Kia, what now? You are screaming inside. You feel hopeless at times. You have a million things going on personally and yet still have to make room for what is going on socially on a larger scale.
I don't know all of the answers. I am fully expecting to evolve and adjust as the days go on. What I do know is this.
If you are a minority of any kind, whether a person of color, a sexual identity other than heterosexual, a gender identity other than cis gender, or if you have been ostracized at any time for any reason, then you are like me. What that means is YOU ARE NO STRANGER TO FIGHTING!
Hatred, though sad and sickening, isn't foreign to us. Hatred has brought forth resilience, produced a fighter, a motivator and a warrior.
To anyone targeted, dismissed, hurting etc. Remember that whatever is takes, we are already armed with. My plan to over come isn't done yet. But I will begin with these steps and I hope you will join me.
1. UNITE WITH LIKE THINKERS. Have bold discussions with as many people as possible. Don't avoid conversations with those who don't agree. Be influential to those who need to hear what we have to say.
2. CONTINUE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF. This doesn't end here. Know your laws, your rights and what changes you can influence in smaller elections. Sign petitions you believe in. Make adjustments in your personal life that reflect your state of mind and acquired knowledge including being mindful of where you spend your mighty dollar!
3. DO NOT BE INTIMIDATED. Some are being verbally attacked, others physically. Press charges when applicable. Go to HR if it's within the workplace. Refuse to be discouraged. DO NOT LET HATE WIN!
4. DISCONNET WHEN NEEDED. Self preserve. Be selective and understand when enough is enough. When you have had all you can take from reading about the hatred in the world today, go back to the drawing board and gear up to fight another day.
In closing I implore everyone who feels the way I do to stay strong and stay hopeful.
~Kia