Done being Shocked, Fight Forward

Yesterday, we went to the polls and voted.  My husband and I were sure Hillary would win by a landslide (yes, I have my issues with Hillary and wished for better candidate options).  Boy, were we wrong!

I woke up at 2a.m. hoping to see some better news.  I was devastated and terrified, at first, to see Donald Trump was elected, overwhelmingly.  While I am definitely worried about what he represents in terms of fascism, and I am uber-worried for the future of my two small children, I dusted off all my angst and am ready to fight forward.

Look, I feel a lot of compassion for the voters who were duped by his lies.  They too need jobs, education, healthcare, homes, etc.  Trump won't give them any of that, no matter how many undocumented people he deports or how many other poor brown people he bombs.  They will wake up and realize Trump doesn't support their class interests, but we have to be there to point them in the right direction.

Living with these four years will be hard, so this  morning I had the difficult task of explaining the political situation to my little son Antonio.  I explained fascism and how the organizing work we do Trump and his ilk may not like, even though what we do is legal (for now) and union based.  He said to me, "You know what Cesar Chavez said, 'It is harder to fight with your mouth than to fight with your fists' ".  What a smart little boy!  I also explained the hatred that Trump represents, but that didn't seem to faze him; I guess he understands bullies.

My husband, surprisingly, is not as mortified as I thought he would be.  I guess he processed the defeat at 3a.m. this morning, when I was still churning in it.

I think today, it will be very important to share a real vision of America.  That is what I hope to do every day and to be as excellent and loving a human being I can be to everyone.  We have to combat hate at every level and really take care of each other.  If we had, we wouldn't be in this mess, so let's fight on every front we can.  Let's fight for the marginalized and unemployed.  Let's fight for a truly great America, not one based on racism, hatred, and fear.

On the writing front, my ongoing project couldn't have come at a better time; I am continuing with my novel, which happens to be a dystopian piece of literature.  It is a futuristic piece where women rule and elite men survive.  I have been working on this novel for over ten years and is on its second rewrite.  I think the days ahead will be truly inspirational. 

Here is to fighting forward and fighting hate and bigotry by being you most excellent self.