I don’t generally use this blog as a political platform because I want A Cup of Catherine to be a place of unity and positivity, but I feel like Election 2016 was unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. My head and my heart ache, and I feel like it’s important to speak up and have our voices heard—now, more than ever. Please, if you comment, be respectful of my opinion and the thoughts/opinions of others. I am always open to hearing your thoughts, but I will delete any cyber-bullying.
Dear America,
Today I do not recognize you.
I’m in a haze. I’m restless. I’m trying so hard to be optimistic and courageous, yet I cannot for the life of me understand what just happened.
I’m both dumbfounded and un-surprised. Proud and ashamed. Discouraged and optimistic. Afraid yet at peace.
I refuse to be a sore loser—or a name-caller—or somebody who isolates herself and prays for the failure of our president-elect.
But, I do not recognize my country right now.
Yesterday morning, as I learned that a miracle did not happen while I slumbered in my bed, I found myself in tears.
I was crying for Hillary Rodham Clinton and her legacy and for glass ceilings that remain structurally sound. I was crying for myself and my family. I was crying for Susan B. Anthony and the suffragettes. I was crying for my Muslim friends and for my LGBTQ brothers and sisters. I was crying for women (and men) who have been sexually assaulted or threatened because of their skin color or ethnicity.
I was crying not because a woman lost the election…but because a highly qualified public servant who has dedicated HER ENTIRE LIFE to making this country greater (because America has never stopped being great) did not beat an inexperienced man whose platform promoted bigotry, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and hatred.
I’m just sorry.
I’m trying not to be bitter, because this is still my America. I have family members and dear friends who voted differently than I did, and we all have to live together. But there is already a wall.
This is still my America… #TOL #makeamericagreatagainforEVERYONE #election2016 Share on XThere is a wall so thick and so high that it’s going to take immeasurable strength to break it down.
For the next please god not eight four years, I will try my damnedest to be positive. I won’t succumb to the same childish behavior and disrespectful attitudes that so many people turned to in the last eight years.
I will act. I will teach. I will speak truth and respect and kindness. Because I know deep within my heart that love still wins. Love always wins.
LOVE always wins… #TOL #lovewins #kindnessmatters Share on XThere are still fighters and believers and life-changers among us. The same America that fought to end slavery, that protested peacefully for Civil Rights, that liberated an occupied France during WWII exists today.
I look at my son, and I see innocence. I see bright blue eyes that sparkle with wonder and ears that are ready to hear words of kindness, grace, and love.
I can’t change the results of the election, but I can live my convictions and be an example to my son.
I can teach him that racism and sexism tear us apart and that he is no different or better than his peers.
And I can teach him that integrity is something that can never be taken away and that he can be a light in the world.
Integrity is something that can never be taken away… #TOL #lovetrumpshate Share on XI may not recognize my country today, but I know we can piece ourselves back together with the same fortitude and optimism that our forbearers and heroes possessed. We are stronger together and will find our way.
[thanks for letting me think out loud]
No questions today, but please (respectfully) share your thoughts.
Well said. Local and state leaders are very important. This is where many changes can be made.
Thanks, and true. We’ve seen the last 8 years that a president cannot implement everything he would like to implement.
“I may not recognize my country today, but I know we can piece ourselves back together with the same fortitude and optimism that our forbearers and heroes possessed. We are stronger together and will find our way.”
Love this.
These are my exact thoughts. Thank you for putting them down so eloquently. <3 Sending you lots of pantsuits love. Because we are still, by popular vote, a Pantsuits Nation.
Thanks, Divya. Pantsuit love right back at you. 🙂
I’m personally outraged, not necessarily because of who won the election, but because of how much hatred I’m seeing from Hilary supporters who “lost”. They claim they are afraid of the hatred that Muslims, LGBTQ friends, immigrants and the like will encounter. BUT, the only thing I’ve seen happen so far is Trump supporters be hated on. I have seen local reporters call out “Uneducated white males” telling them “THEY DID THIS”. I’ve seen more appalling, racist, and hateful Facebook posts from the very “friends” calling for acceptance and love. Well folks, you’re not doing much to be a shining example here. If you don’t like how someone acts, acting like them won’t fix the problem. We need people to realize they can dedicate this energy into doing good things. What’s done is done.
“I can’t change the results of the election, but I can live my convictions and be an example to my son.” <– YES, YES YOU CAN. This is what we need.
Agreed. Thankfully most of my friends/family have been very tactful (on both sides), but I agree that generalizing Trump supporters does more harm than good and is a poor reflection on the person making the statement/judgment.
If anything, I hope we can all learn from this election. The negativity MUST STOP. I can disagree with Trump’s platform yet agree that the people spoke and collectively want change. That is so evident. I have told others I see WHY people supported Trump – because they’re tired of the same old game. I just wish folks who felt that way had found a different “change candidate.”
But, as long as we work together and TRY to understand those with differing opinions, we will be ok. Thanks for sharing your thoughts ❤️
This election was not about the candidates as much as it was about the direction Washington is taking this country and frustration with our current stats of affairs. The outlook of more of the same was not what a lot of voters were hoping for. There are three branches of government that check and balance each other. Washington seems to have lost that concept and that this is our country and they are working for us. If they do not work together towards that common goal, the ballot box is our weapon, not rocks and matches. If you have any faith that the current system of government is working in our best interest- what are we to fear?
I absolutely agree that this election was a huge referendum on change and dissatisfaction with the way things have been for a long time. There are definitely checks and balances – and we’ve seen them in action for the last 8 years and before – but I am a little concerned that the presidency and the 2 houses are all in one party’s control. (I’d think it was bad if it were the other party, too.) When I talk about fear, I don’t fear our government not working. I fear certain policies that may be implemented that reverse progress or encourage more division. I don’t believe that everything Trump has said over the campaign is an accurate reflection of his beliefs and plans, so I have some confidence in that. (I’m talking about racist, nativist, and sexist remarks.) As always, thanks for reading 🙂 See you all soon!
well said, i agree with everything here. Love always does win, and our country really needs all the love it can get. Thank you for this <3
Thanks, Alyssa. I will always believe that love is more powerful than hate.