I cannot celebrate the election of Mr. Trump as the next
POTUS simply because he is a republican and will further restrict abortion
access. I cannot, I will not celebrate election of Mr. Trump on the basis of
“pro-life” because pro-life also means being for women, for people of color,
for immigrants, for refugees, for LGBTQ+, for disabled. You, as one individual
voting for Mr. Trump may not have been trying to tell the people around you
that their lives do not matter but collectively, last night, that message was
made clear.
I’m overwhelmed by the fact that everyone was able to
overlook the countless racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, homophobic hateful
things out of Mr. Trump’s mouth. To pretend that these things are not real
issues in our country is a joke. Simply because an issue does not impact your
life directly, does not mean that thousands or millions of others are not
directly impacted and hurt by comments and words, policies and practices. I’m
overwhelmed by the fact that everyone was able to overlook the fact that Mr.
Trump has not only committed sexual assault but glorifies and condones sexual
assault. We wonder why victims of abuse, assault, and rape often do not come
forward. Here is your answer –collectively as a country we told victims their pain
is not important and that their pain can be overlooked.
I’m overwhelmed at how many just don’t get it. They don’t
understand my sadness, my frustration, or my fear for my friends, for people,
and our country.
I’m sad for my sisters and other women who continue to be
told they are less valuable and less capable than a man. I’m sad for people of
color who are fearful for their lives and who are told day after day they are
second-class citizens to white Americans. I’m sad for immigrants who come here
seeking a better life, the American Dream, and are told they cannot have one,
not here. I’m sad for refugees who come here fleeing for their lives and are
told they cannot be protected here. I’m sad for LGBTQ+ community who loves in
fear and feels like their love is invalid. I’m sad for the disabled who are
told they are not able. I’m sad that our country as a whole continues to be
unable to recognize the inherent worth and value of every human being.
I cannot, I will not celebrate the election of Mr. Trump on
the basis of anything. I cannot celebrate but I can honor and respect you as
the President of my country. Secretary Clinton nailed it, “our constitutional
democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power, and we don’t just respect
that, we cherish it.” Mr. Trump surprised us when he decided to run for the
Republican nomination, Mr. Trump surprised us when he received the Republican
nomination, Mr. Trump surprised us last night when he won the presidency. I
pray that Mr. Trump will continue to surprise us; this time by the way he leads
our country. I will wait and hope that I am surprised by where our country goes
over the next four years. I will wait.
I will not however, stand by and watch Mr. Trump continue to
be racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, or homophobic. Again, Secretary Clinton
nailed it, “[our constitutional democracy] enshrines other things – the rule of
law, the principle that we’re all equal in rights and dignity, and the freedom
of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these things too – and we
must defend them.” As president I fully expect Mr. Trump to respect and honor
the dignity of the people of America.
To my fellow female friends, to my friends of color, to my
immigrant friends, to my refugee friends, to my LGBTQ+ friends, to my disabled
friends – I see you; I am with you. You, each of you, are loved, you are
valued, you are treasured, and you belong. I am sorry that you fear for your
life and for your well-being and for that of marginalized and oppressed like
you. My heart breaks for each of you and for your pain and for your fear. I
choose today and everyday to enter the pain with you and to fight with you and
for you.
As a social worker, our work does not end and our world does
not end. Our fight for social justice continues. Our role of fighting with and
for the marginalized has always been a difficult one but today it became much
more challenging and all the more necessary. However, we do not despair. Fellow
social workers, we continue our pursuit for justice.
As a believer in Jesus Christ, our work does not end and our
world does not end. In the midst of election season, today in particular, I
find myself grateful to serve a God who is all-knowing and all-powerful in a
world of chaos and injustice that my human mind will never be able to grasp. I
do not need to have the answers or the plans; I need only follow Jesus and lift
His name high. I’m grateful that God was not surprised by the election of Mr.
Trump. I’m grateful that God, in His wisdom and mercy, called me out of my
comfort zone, to a new church. The church God led me to, not by coincidence,
was and is studying Daniel. Daniel lived in a country not following God yet
remained faithful to our God and did not dishonor the King. I’m daily reminded
of Daniel’s faithfulness to his God in the midst of his less than stellar
circumstances. I’m also reminded of God’s faithfulness to His people, His
sovereignty over the kingdom of Babylon, His mercy to those who did not follow
him, and His justice. I do not seek to understand where God is leading America,
only to be faithful like Daniel was faithful.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require
of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8
