The Lone Rider Prevails

Me: This is so obvious and clever it practically writes itself!

*later*

I keep reading, “It will be okay.” But it won’t. That is privilege talking. That is a straight, cisgender, able bodied, white person talking – even one that might feel sick and at this moment. Even one that supported Clinton. It’s someone who doesn’t have to face discrimination – the kind been enshrined by the president elect of our country – on a daily basis. What this election did was normalize the hatred of difference. The things Trump said during this campaign were inexcusable… and 59 million people legitimized them.

This is what we, especially the privileged we, cannot abide. We cannot sit by and watch as our fellow humans are attacked for their gender, race, creed, or ability. If we do, we are complicit with Trump and his ilk. We can’t just scream into the echo chamber of our neatly manicured Facebook groups, Twitter circles, and gatherings with friends.

Then repeat this to yourself, like I am: 

I will be better than them. 

I will be kind to those that need kindness.

I will remember that our fellow citizens also elected the first openly gay governor, the first Latina senator, the first Black female senator since 1999, and the first Somali-American lawmaker.

I will stay focused and not give in to despair.

I will stand with anyone that stands against Trump.

I will speak out against the injustice that I see.

I will use what privilege I have to help those that have less.

I will not stop making noise.