Last night, millions of Americans sat in silence. I shared texts with friends, hugs with people who were present and phone calls with my family wondering how this could have happened to our country. The impossible became possible and sadly, a great deal of Americans feel like that is a sign of change and a symbol of victory. This election has so greatly divided our country that a fear has loomed over our people. A sadness hangs in the air today that is so thick it could cut through glass. Is this the kind of victory that Trump supporters want to enjoy? A victory so tainted by the fact that there are so many people who do not feel okay and that are chanting “Not My President,” in the streets and in their hearts? A victory where so many of their fellow Americans do not feel represented and are now living in fear? I can’t imagine basking in this type of victory. It doesn’t seem right.
We have to seriously ask ourselves as a nation right now what change means to us. We elected into office a man who did the unthinkable but that does not make him a great man or a great leader. Yes, he has surpassed what everyone thought he was capable of. He shocked us all. But, in what ways? By poking fun at a disabled reporter? By objectifying women? By being overtly racist? By being so incredulously offensive under so many circumstances that it is hard to even list them all? I have so many questions. I want so many answers. I demand them.
I feel snubbed. As a Muslim-American woman, I feel snubbed. As an Arab. As an activist. As an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, the Latinx community, the Black community and any marginalized or disenfranchised people . As the daughter of immigrant parents. I feel snubbed and hurt and I genuinely cried alone on my couch last night wondering how our country can be filled with such hatred and wondering why all of my ideals and beliefs have been questioned. My hands covered my mouth most of the night. I was in shock as I’m sure many of my close friends and family were. As a major part of this country was and is this morning. In shock. In disbelief and in fear.
Personally, I refuse this. I don’t deem it as a time to crumble or to throw in the towel. I do not feel defeated. Sad, yes. Defeated, never. This is not the time to quit. This is the time to organize and come together. This is the time to make sure that laws we put in place are not reversed. Do not let this outcome make you feel like you are less of an American with less of a voice. There have been plenty of Americans who have had NO voices in the past and fought their way to where we are now. It would be a shame and a disgrace to let that be forgotten. If anything, I feel like my voice must be louder, be sharper, be more aware and more articulate than ever. I refuse to be a bystander in all of this chaos and to believe that things will happen around me that I have no control over.
I can see tears in the eyes of so many of our leaders. I see tears in the eyes of so many of our people. Remember what these tears mean to you. Remember your ideals and beliefs and use your voice. Vote, demonstrate, unite, write, lobby, listen, watch, read, GET INVOLVED. Let the pain that you feel from this outcome root you even more in being an American and being part of this political system that we so do not want to see tarnished. Do not forget your inalienable rights. Be awoken by this campaign.
If you are a woman, remember that this does not mean we will cross our legs nicely and be quiet. We will not be “grabbed,” or “kissed,” unwantedly. We will not be intimidated by a man who fought his way to the top with power and money and hate. We will not be silenced by this man who embraces othering. We will be empowered. We will remember that this fight is not over. We will continue to hold our heads high. We will do work, because THAT IS WHAT WE DO. There is not a single woman in my life who is not a capable, strong and incredibly intelligent human being. Not a single one.
Today, I am surrounded by the most profound feeling of love I have ever felt. I might be sad but I am also comforted by the reaction and outpour of love from my friends, family and fellow Americans. Love does trump hate, regardless of the outcome of this election. Fear not, forget not and remember that there is a movement that has grown so enormously over night that has your name written all over it in large, bold letters. EQUALITY. Let your anger fuel you, let your sadness wake you. Be a voice. Be a friend. Be a neighbor. Be an activist. Be an American.
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