November 9th, 2016. A popular catch phrase of recent times has been "Stay Woke". Ironically enough, this phrase most notably was born out of the Black Lives Matter movement. Most ironically of all, I don't believe there is a single American sleeping through this moment in our history.
The conjecture of this whole year has been the ongoing joke of "either way we're screwed", "lesser of two evils"- etc. Yet overwhelmingly now, we have the sentiment,
"What happens now?"
For millions of Americans, this is not a dark day, this is a happy triumphant day. For so many others, like myself, we are struggling to find reason, purpose, and justice in what has happened.
I listen to a well-known Progressive Activist on Satellite radio almost every morning, and I could not wait to turn on the channel today. I was eagerly looking for answers, solace, and peace.
His answers to his callers who called in crying, in mourning, in pain was this: We fight. All we can do is continue to fight.
As Social Workers, we have a very unique view and reaction to things we perceive to be tragic and traumatic. There is a protocol, a treatment plan, and most importantly, a plan of action to getting through it. In that process, there are some key steps. So I put proverbial pen to paper, (in reality fingers to keyboard) to share my thoughts on the subject.
-#1: Taking Accountability.
We as a people cannot turn a blind eye to our lack of involvement in our country's election process. As so many have come out and say, we are a reactionary society. "What do you mean he got elected? How did that happen?!"
That happened because of a lack of interest and buy-in in this process beginning years ago, when people considering the presidential race were first emerging. How many of us voted in the Primary? I'll be perfectly honest I know I did not. How many even understand what would have had to happen to keep Bernie in the race? Trump passed hurdles because his supporters turned out and ensured he got there every step of the way. In truth, a lot could be learned from his conviction and persistence when half the country continuously mocked him.
-#2: As Pop says, "Always forward, never backward."
We need to think as a country of what we will be doing next. I think that is where everyone is stuck, "What now?" "What will happen?" In the upcoming weeks and months we will start to get a sense of what Trump's real plans for his presidency are, and we have to react accordingly. It is time, as we are supposed to, for us to storm our Representatives in the House as well as our local members of Congress to hold the new President to whatever standards we hold near and dear.
Have you ever written to your local Representative or Congress Member? Do you know who they are? It's time to find out.
-#3: Make Lemonade (Turning 'Negatives' Into Positives')
SUPPORT EACH OTHER.
The reality is our country is rife with unrest, racism, sexism, and inequalities; from our inner cities to our most rural suburbs. Yes, it is true, Trump won the Presidency, but what we can do right now is start championing kindness and acceptance.
We need to treat each other with respect and get to know our neighbors. We are polarized now more than we ever have been- and neither party is interested in finding out why. As we have been told for years, United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
This is more true now than it ever has been.
This idea of Red and Blue, Good and Evil, Black and White- it is not working, nor has it ever worked for us as a country. Now more than ever we need to understand that there are countless shades in between each side. Consider for a moment that a Trump supporter doesn't necessarily equal hate towards women and Mexicans, but maybe that they wanted to elect someone who wasn't a part of the "system" and you hoped it would lead to positive change.
Everyone is shouting at the top of their lungs what they wanted, and what they think should have happened with little to no comprehension of all of the nuances therein.
This is a time to reach out, have a conversation, and delve back into education about our country, it's founding fathers, and the processes for change and innovation.
-#4: Turn This into a Teachable Moment (Learn through Understanding)
It is my sincere hope that as President of the United States we will hold Donald Trump to a standard he has never been held to. Unfortunately, as a businessman and Entrepreneur he has never had to comport himself in any particular way. We began to hold him accountable during his campaign for vulgar things he said and admonitions of different races; but now- it reaches a new level.
If there are things that the President does/says, use that as an example of how *not* to act. We called for an impeachment of a President who cheated on his wife, I do not see why we could not mobilize again should his actions as President so call for it. The reality is, he has been elected. Accept this fact, allow yourself to process it and move forward.
The reality is We, as a country, as a people, do not spend our days, weeks, and months, worrying about the "other". If it does not affect us, we are not concerned. We exist and operate in silos. This needs to stop. Instead of bashing your friends, coworkers, or family members for voting for Trump, learn the reasons why.
Instead of throwing your hands up and saying "Well, there goes the Affordable Care Act, there goes immigrants, and there goes Planned Parenthood: organize. There are TONS of PACs, (Political Action Committees) already in place, forums where you can get involved and be heard.
Were you out campaigning for your Presidential Candidate, explaining all of the reasons why she would be great for our country? No. We showed up one day, filled out a bubble- and expected the rest to go to plan.
It did not.
#5: Get Moving. (Quit Squawking, and Start Walking)
So instead of burying your head in the sand, joking that you are going to move to another country, or just plugging your ears and humming as loud as possible:
find a group that represents your concerns and join them. If one does not exist- create it.
Join groups that have the inside scoop on legislation that will directly affect your interest, whether it be LGBTQ rights, Women's Rights, Immigrant's Rights, etc. The groundwork is there, but poorly supported.
No? Is that too much work?
Oh okay then, just go back to sharing screaming memes on Facebook and it will all pass over in about 4 years.
In all seriousness, take your time, regroup, and allow yourself to grieve. Then, use that fire and passion to get involved in a way, that I suspect, you never ever have before.
It's the only way.
Last, but certainly not least: have faith that we as a people will get through this. We could possibly come out the other side a better, more educated, and more understanding people.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
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