I just cried so hard over many things.
First, Kamala Harris talking about being a role model for women. The camera panned over to a few different groups of girls both black and white.
Second, when Kamala Harris smiled, I could see how young she is and how much joy and hope she knows she’s bringing to the US. The fire and passion and confidence in that smile spread like those little votive candles at a prayer service. Everyone was lit up by the end.
Third, when Biden stepped out and started talking, every word he spoke made actual sense.
Fourth, Biden loves his family and his wife. He talked about AN ACTUAL EDUCATOR being in the White House, and he showed actual affection towards the American people.
Fifth, when Biden stumbled on his words, I actually love it when he does that. He’s so human and real. He’s not perfect. He’s got a speech disorder, and yet it’s his humility in acknowledging his voter base and his disability that got him this far. He’s not a perfect man. He’s sometimes a little weird uncle-like. But, I wouldn’t be afraid of, post-pandemic, being in a room with him alone. I would let him meet my children. I wouldn’t side step him on the street like I would Trump or have walked away from other loud white men. (The bar is so low, friends. So so low)
Yes, I know we have so so far to go. But, for a moment, I cried because a leader of my country spoke words that were meaningful and coherent. I understood what they had to say and the message was about coming back together instead of dividing ourselves. So, for one moment, I’m going to breathe a sigh of relief before getting back to work on the hard shit. Becasue tonight, for the first time, I see some hope that the work will mean something when I do it.
Autistic brothers, sisters, and siblings tonight is a night where we can breathe a little easier. Our fight is far from over, but we can find some joy tonight. We can now dream of a world where we can create safer communities so what happened in Utah never happens to another one of our own. White autistic folks use your privilege and educate yourselves so that we can work under the direction of Black Lives Matter and other Black community leaders in their mission to protect their communities, and ours, from police brutality and violence. In every instance of unnecessary police brutality to any person in this country, BLM has been there to vouch for and protest these heinous acts of violence. The least we can do is educate ourselves on anti-racism so that we can be useful allies instead of sitting ducks.
My queer brothers, sisters, and siblings we survived. We did it. Not all of us have been allowed survival - especially our elders and Black trans women and other POC trans folks. We’ve seen an influx of members of our community elected into office. This is a great day for us even though we know our fight is far from over. For some of us, people still don’t believe that our experiences exist. For others, we are still seeking acceptance within the community for the unique ways that we approach our sexuality. We are still working! That is okay. But, tonight? We celebrate.
My democratic Christians, especially Catholics, one of our own has been elected. Joe Biden is an Irish Catholic. We celebrate that someone of real and substaintial faith is leading this country and, at least so far, is professing to follow that faith to reenergize and restore our country.
Or maybe even just like I don’t know begin trying to live up to what we preach? We’ve never really done that but we can start, I guess. This is hard to phrase. My apologies.
We made it. Through all of the confusion. Through all of the lack of transparency. Through all of the painful tragedy and uncertainty of the last four years. We have made it. That, in itself, is cause for celebration.
