Wow. Yeah, that happened. I kept thinking (praying) that when the sun rose Wednesday morning, Ashton Kutcher would announce the world’s largest punk ever. We’d laugh, shake our fist at him and breath a huge sigh of relief. But we weren’t punk’d. This wasn’t a dream. Or a test. This was real, scary real. I hurt so much right now. My original post for today seemed trite. And wrong. I wanted to stay in bed and weep for the world. But lying there, with my cat, Max, pressed against me, I realized my silence only helps hate continue to win.
I dragged myself out of bed and sat down at my computer, feeling completely overwhelmed and unsure. And very, very alone in my pain. But then I started reading. While certainly some people cheered his win, many, many people didn’t. And they were being vocal about it. Words from Michael, Jenn, Jana, Alyssa, Rebecca Jo and Louise brought comfort to me. Gave me hope, strength and resolve.
We lost the battle on November 8, but the war is just beginning (I feel like Frodo). I will not sit idly by and gave hate a blank check. Next week, I’ll share more of my thoughts and hopes and plans, but today, grief keeps words strangled in my throat, all bitter and acidic. But I want to rise above, to “go high when they go low”, so instead I give you this:
![The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [and people] to do nothing. Edmund Burke](https://i0.wp.com/www.amindfulmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/burke-quote-2.jpg?resize=715%2C1100)
I remind myself that the world is very different than it was in the 1920’s as the Nazi party came into power. Hate still exists, likely always will, but we also know the high cost and will not be silent. Nor forget the price of our silence.
I will not kneel either. And hope you won’t either.
And yes, I see the irony in the first avenger coming to aid against a tyrant is Captain America. I also know that America has been a beacon of hope and will always be so.
Tanya
P.S. It’s 90+ degrees today in LA, which means Hell hath truly frozen over. Or you know, climate change is real and not made-up.
Well, climate change is just going to have to cool it for the next 4 years because it’s just not a priority.
Gah. Ok, I don’t want to get myself started so I’ll stop there.
Beautiful words, Tanya. I couldn’t say much yesterday, but I’m glad that my few sentences lifted you up a bit- we’re going to be needing a lot of that in these next few years.
(Also, is it weird to say I like your font? It’s clean and simple and easy to read. Just figured I’d let you know 🙂 )
Thank you, Audrey. We are most definitely going to need a lot of uplifting posts the next four years. And a lot of vigilance too. We will not be silent and do nothing. And I’m glad you like my font. It’s lato. 🙂
I had to laugh about the hell freezing over comment 🙂
Everyone’s emotions are so on edge right now… I’m so glad the holidays are here – help everyone just settle back into life & take a breather.
Our voices can be so different around the US – but at least we have the right to keep on using them 🙂
I’m looking forward to Thanksgiving too. A chance to take a deep breath and recalibrate. While I may not be happy about the election outcome, I do love that we can voice opinions freely in this country.
Oh boy. Yes to all of this. So much yes to all of this. The hardest part for me, is hate that has continued to fly around. It was present in the Trump campaign, so present that I could never have voted for him on principle, due to that issue. The man is hateful. I was absolutely terrified that extremists would come out and practice have crimes, feeling validated in sharing openly their own unpopular or not “pc” opinions. And I fear that’s what’s happening. Angry Hillary supporters are saying awful things. So few are being respectful. I want to see the peaceful protest, and I want to see Trump supporters stick up for those groups Trump did not support during his campaigning, the ones who are being harmed now. I don’t know what will happen. But I love your line here: “My silence only helps hate to win” – wow, yes. Anyway, I’m still struggling to put any of my words into better sentences because I am hurting. Hurting so much. But thank you for your kind, respectful, and hopeful post. 🙂 XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
I hear you, Alexandra. I am still hurting and sometimes the words just won’t form. It just sickens me to see alt-right groups and hate groups cheering his victory. To see him further legitimatize them by making them a part of his administration boggles my mind and deeply scares me. I also know that there are so many people who do not support him, who will be vocal and vigilant and not let hate take down our great country.
I have been seeing your comments on other posts about the election, so I had to come to your blog. I totally agree, I will NOT be silent. The effects of electing a man who has said so many hateful things during his campaign are already starting to show up, and I will always stand against these disgusting actions.
Thanks for stopping Mattie! It scares me how quickly we are seeing more and more hate crimes occur. And he acts shocked by them. What did he expect? Like you, I will stand against these disgusting actions too.
I understand how you feel. I feel it too. I just let it out a little bit on my blog, and I’m not yet sure if that was a good idea or not, but it felt right. I will not cower.
It can feel uncomfortable talking about this on our blogs. My blog isn’t a political blog but I couldn’t be silent. It’s too big; too important. I’m glad you shared because it is important that we not be silent.
This has been hard. So baffling and confusing and painful. I love seeing all the posts with a hopeful message, and the determination to stand up and fight whatever horrors this new administration brings, but I can’t help but feel a little helpless about it all. Underneath all the good intentions, I don’t really know what to do. Sign some petitions, donate to some charities, and then… I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like enough.
I feel the same way, Jenn. I love seeing the positive message and determination and grit people are showing. But like you, there are times I feel helpless and unsure. But that also hardens my resolve because doing nothing is what they want.
I am still in shock. I am literally unable to comprehend this whole thing.
Me too. I have such a difficult time reading/watching the news. I don’t understand. Really, I don’t.
Lovely post.
And…..I can’t help myself…..in the midst of the seriousness, I particularly enjoy the fact that you included the Iron Man, Captain America, Loki clip.
I don’t know why but that clip always gets me. I feel emotional with the Nazi reference and the old man standing up to Loki. And then Captain America fighting Loki with Iron Man arriving to the lovely strains of Iron Maiden makes me cheer. We kind of need some real life superheroes right now! 🙂
okay but that scene in that movie ALWAYS MAKES ME CRY.
so much yes tanya. so much yes <3
LOL! It’s an emotional scene for me. The Nazi reference – boo! But then Captain America – that’s Captain America – comes in to save the day. We’ll get there again. 🙂