Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Eloquent words on the morning after


I'm not a very eloquent writer or communicator, especially during historic moments. But I have many friends who are incredibly eloquent. These days, their most passionate posts end up on social media. And that means their words won't last. They'll scroll away in 12 hours and be difficult to excavate for future generations. But the words are important. The passion is important.

I'm going to repost some of their morning thoughts and messages on this presidential election, in the hopes that it makes it just a tiny bit easier for these words to stand the test of time and be shared with future generations.

  • After having my daily pep talk with the boys before dropping them off at school, I logged on here and was immediately struck by some commentary. From adults. I don't discuss my politics. Ever. And that's not going to change today. This will be the only message I post and I ask that you think before you post something about how we are treating one another.
    So, this feels a little necessary this morning ... What I shared with my boys:
    "Be kind to each other. There are people in your life today who will be devastatingly sad. There will be people who will be satisfied. Treat them all with grace. Treat them as you would like to be treated if you were in their shoes. We handle each other with love and respect. In this house and out."
    They are too little to understand some of this message, but you're not!!
    For better or worse, this is where we are. If your choice won, be a gracious winner and remember that for every one vote in one direction there was one in the other. And those people are hurting just like you would be. Their fear is real, just like yours would be. Their passion is palpable, just like yours would be. And their sadness might feel crippling - just like yours would be.
    If your choice lost, remember how you would feel if the situation was reversed and were being name called or treated with disdain/disgust. People voted how they felt they needed to for their families and their future. And that might not be what you determined was right for you. Or for this country. But that's how we are built.
    We don't always agree. But we can always choose love over hate. Let's practice that today and tomorrow. That's all we can do.
    — Chrissi
  • Today, please, check in with your non-white friends, your non-Christian friends, your POC and LGBTQ+ friends. Let them know that you care, that you support them, and that you are a safe space. I don't really know what to say right now. I'm devastated. I have to raise my children during their formative years in this nation, so I'm girding my loins to be a badass bitch mother.
    — Megan
  • I just wanted to share a quick moment that speaks to the humanity of people from last night's election.
    I stood on a ladder (yes, it's true) to take a photo of a line of voters that wrapped around a church twice. A line that resulted in people waiting over two hours to vote.
    A woman came out of the church after she voted with her son.
    His name is Noah.
    He has autism.
    Apparently, she was concerned that he would not be able to wait 2-3 hours in the dark.
    That the police lights and the noise from the crowd would overwhelm him.
    Due to the kindness of people. She was allowed to jump to the head of the line into that church and cast her vote. Here is a short video from my conversation with her.
    I would ask that, regardless of your feelings about yesterdays results, that comments are civil and decent. This was a moment of kindness and I'd like to keep it that way.
  • — Jason
  • I'm choosing faith. Vibrant, bold, fierce faith that embodies what I know to be true--that kindness is powerful, that compassion is humanity, that love is a choice, that I don't know how to get to the happily ever after but that's how this ends. This election and its result shattered me. So I'm going to make a mosaic out of the best pieces.
  • — Beth
  • Part of Byron's text to our beside-herself-sobbing daughter this morning:
    "My sweet Gracie,
    I feel so bad about the election, and I know you do too. Mommy and I were so excited for you to see a strong woman become our nation's leader, especially at this time in your life...
    Our nation has always favored white men in myriad ways, legally and culturally. The strength of our nation however is in the idea of equality and opportunity for all. These ideals are still strong. There are just many many white people who are angry that they are losing their privileged status. It is inevitable that whites lose this special status; no election can hold back the tide of change. This is a step backward in an otherwise forward trend.
    I love you so very much, please don't despair. America is better than this. We are experiencing the last furious screams of spoiled children who have been made to share their toys. Growing up is hard, even for a nation. I love you."
    — Jessica
  • If you know me well, you know I don't really put my political views out there. Chalk it up to too many years of journalism training. Here's what I want you to take away from this post: Hope. It's a word I've seen over and over again this morning, from voters on all sides. With hope, anything is possible. Remember that.
    — Amy


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