America

I really dislike talking politics publicly, but I think this is an important day to document.

Donald Trump is President Elect of the United States of America.

Donald Trump. The orange man with a combover. Endorsed by the KKK. Delusional enough to think Mexico will pay for a wall to be built along our border. Openly discriminates against Muslims and women. Wants to take away the right for LGBT people to exist equally and peacefully in our country. Wants to take away a woman's right to choose.

That very same Donald Trump is our next President.

It is difficult for me to wrap my mind around the fact that so many people voted for this hate-filled man. Maybe they didn't want increased taxes? Didn't want gun control laws to be passed? Didn't like Obamacare? Or maybe they just really didn't like Hillary?

What I don't understand about any of those reasons is how those issues are more important than showing love and kindness to all people. It is privilege. RIGHT THERE is an example of your privilege. That you can vote for someone who advocates discrimination against women, Muslims, LGBT people, and minorities, and think other issues are more important.

Starting in January, their America looks a lot different than your America. Their America is one where they need to be afraid that their rights will be taken away. Rights that they deserve just as much as you. I'm not even referring to marriage equality-type things anymore. I'm talking about the right to FEEL SAFE in your own country. To feel included and respected.

Money, guns, hating Hillary's shadiness... how can any of that take precedence over equality and respect?

Or maybe the majority of Americans do not value equality and respect over that.

I dunno. Don't get me wrong, I was never a Hillary supporter. I think it's shady as hell that Bernie did not end up being the Democratic nominee. I hate the corruption in our two-party system and how they force all of us into their corrupt two-party mold. But I am really struggling to accept that people think several years of hate and reversal of social justice is better than several years of the same old shit. I'm not talking about people who voted third party. I'm talking about people who voted Trump as a big "FUCK YOU" to the system. Maybe if he wasn't the type of guy who the KKK endorses... but he is. I am not saying that everyone who voted for Trump is misogynistic or racist, but I am saying that everyone who voted for Trump voted for a misogynistic racist.

All I can do is hope that this is the kick in the ass America needs to turn around and make some REAL progress. Real change. I hope that Donald Trump DOES "Make America Great Again." I hope he surprises me and does something good. But if not, I have faith that he will make America great again in a way he didn't expect: by strengthening the resolve of all of us who want a more progressive America, so that we can fight the system again in four years. So that we can all rally together to vote someone in to office who isn't your typical politician, but who will make real, progressive change in our country.

Remember how I said I was afraid to have kids because I didn't want them growing up in a hate-filled world? Well, here I am, with a little boy. I suppose it is just one of the many challenges I will face as a mother, to explain to him when he is young and learning about what a President is, that even though our President is a bully, that doesn't make bullying okay. Sometimes, the bullies come out on top in the beginning, but kindness, compassion, and empathy are what will get you places long-term. And I know that if I surround Atlas with people who believe the same thing, he will not grow up seeing Donald Trump as a role model.

EDIT: Adding to my initial word-vomit. Although I don't understand why someone would vote for Trump, I should add that many people I know and love did. And we still love each other. Just because I don't understand, does not mean that friendships should be ruined and family should be excommunicated. When I said that we need to come together to make America great again in four years, I meant come together with everyone. This election proved that it does not pay to be a nation divided. I am sad, and scared for the future, but I am also excited to move forward, use this as a learning and teaching opportunity, and NOT WATCH ELECTION COMMERCIALS ANYMORE THANK YOU GOD.