For personal and political reasons, I was really hoping this morning would never come: a morning where I’d see Donald J. Trump elected to lead this nation as its 45th president. It has come, however, and as I posited in my most recent editorial, What I Want to Be Able to Tell My Children About Their Next President, I was at an initial loss for what to say.
But before I said good-bye to my children this morning, I let them know who won the Presidency. My seven year-old daughter Phoebe asked, “So it’s all boys?” I responded, “Yes. That’s how the results came in. But that doesn’t mean we stop fighting for what we believe in and what we think will be helpful for most people. And in four more years, we can go back to our polling place and use our vote to make a change.” My daughter nodded, satisfied. My nine year-old son Xavier took it in, much harder to read, but his silence was more stoic than sad. And then their father took them to school.
Like so many others, I then checked in on social media and witnessed a tide of anger, disbelief, sadness and deeply stirring, galvanized spirit pouring out of family, friends, acquaintances and strangers. Soon after, I turned on the television and watched Hillary Clinton give perhaps the greatest, most moving speech of her life. She was gracious, offering openness and healing while remaining indefatigably determined about her democratic agenda and beliefs:
Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power, and we don’t just respect that, we cherish it. It also 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.
…Our constitutional democracy demands our participation, not just every four years, but all the time. So let’s do all we can to keep advancing the causes and values we all hold dear: making our economy work for everyone, not just those at the top; protecting our country and protecting our planet; and breaking down all the barriers that hold anyone back from achieving their dreams.
We’ve spent a year and a half bringing together millions of people from every corner of our country to say with one voice that we believe that the American Dream is big enough for everyone — for people of all races and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people, and people with disabilities. Our responsibility as citizens is to keep doing our part to build that better, stronger, fairer America we seek. And I know you will.
And then, for me, came two of her most stirring sentences:
Please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it. It’s always worth it.
And:
Scripture tells us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.”
So as of today, I am determined not only to continue to curate and write positive stories about people of color via Good Black News, but also to step it up and be a source for even more. To help provide information, ideas and maybe even forums on ways to be pro-active for justice, fairness and inclusivity on local, state and national levels. It may be loose, unpolished and grass roots-style; it may come in the form of tweets, Facebook live posts, IG snaps and super brief posts here, as our GBN squad is as small and volunteer-based as ever – but we vow to offer what we can, when we can, in whatever way we can.
It is my renewed and expanded mission to keep heart, love, be kind, be outspoken, work with whomever has good intentions, and to use any anger and rage as fuel for positive change. And most of all, to work day-by-day, moment-by-moment, step-by-step to deliver on promises for a better, more decent and humane future for our children, ourselves and our country.
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Well said! Thank you for putting together these enlightening posts – I know it must take a lot of work. Your words of encouragement were much appreciated today.
Ty so much Cindy. You saying so makes it even more worth it. Onward and upward – together!
Thank you for your thoughts and words. It is not easy for me to see the choice made for the leader of our country but I believe we each have a choice to make. Promote an agenda of love, tolerance acceptance and needed change by leveraging our gifts OR grumble, criticize and dislike our government and blame them for lack of change. I admire your desire to focus on what you can do to make the best of this political outcome and work to make our world a better place! Bless you!
Thank you! If we all focus on pro-active change, that is what we will ultimately achieve
hank you, great words, but I still believe the election was rigged. Ms Clinton was to far ahead. I’m very hurt.
We are with you in your pain – we will heal and move forward together
Reblogged this on Random Ramblings; Myriad Musings and commented:
I really needed to read this, just now…so, I’m sharing it.
Wonderful post, and the last paragraph is very inspiring. Possible unsettling days ahead, but we must greet them with strength and decency…
I cannot tell you just how much I needed to read your words just now. After days of ceaseless angry and fear-filled posts, I have found a kindred spirit who, instead of simply grumbling and complaining, is proactively seeking “to use any anger and rage as fuel for positive change.”
Jeffrey yes – please let’s use our energy for that because that I believe is ultimately going to be the most effective. I will keep posting as many actionable ideas as possible- if you don’t follow GBN on FB or twitter please do – The past few days it has been much easier to share info there via links & shared posts – will keep doing our best to put them on main page too. Onward & upward! #weshallnotbemoved
Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein.