From my facebook, just now.
This will probably make some people upset...
In the last 72 hours, I've done a lot of hard thinking, and I feel that this is too important not to share.
Firstly, thanks for your time.
How are you? How are you doing? Are you well? Most importantly, what do you think and how do you feel?
I know most of us sit comfortably in our bubbles, blocking out any and all opposing viewpoints.
I myself am guilty of this, and I'd like to start by saying I'm sorry for that.
As my estranged father would say, "Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one."
Being that we are all American citizens, it's important that we do have our own opinions.
Individual thought is paramount to our way of life.
But I digress.
So here we are, day three of President Elect Donald J. Trump.
A man, who was so vile during his candidacy, even members of his own party either rejected him wholly, or backed him completely, but dared not say his name, for fear of losing support from the moderates of their membership.
We'll come back to him later.Let's begin with where we are today.
There are riots in L.A. and Portland.
California, Oregon, and Washington are seriously considering secession from The Union.
This is nothing new, as you all know.
When Barack Obama was elected and re-elected, Texas wanted to secede.
This is silly.
One Nation, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for All.
Period.
(some)Whites are lashing out at minorities.
(some)Blacks are lashing out at whites.
This must stop.
Now.
We do ourselves no good by giving in to the divisiveness. This is how civil wars begin.
We've been there. We've done that.
Enough is enough.
Obviously, people are angry.
Angry at neoliberalism.
Angry at neoconservatism.
Angry that for so long, as ol' Bernie says, we work longer hours for less pay.
Angry at people who game the system without putting back into it.
Angry at the corporate takeover of our Republic.
Angry because we've been reminded that racism, sexism, and any other ism, is still alive and well in the USA.
These are legitimate griefs.Being angry is no excuse to take it out on others.
Being angry is no excuse to loot and burn private property.
It just isn't.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney famously said "All you need is love." Well, to quote Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, "Love is not Enough."
We need to be understanding of each other and each others viewpoints.
We need to show compassion for those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
We need to have perspective, and see things from where someone else stands.
Most of all, we need to have the strength to stand up to those who would co-opt, or subvert our ideals, and pervert them for their own gains.
I know a portion of you are Trump supporters.
You need to push back against the idea that you are all racist, misogynistic, and xenophobic.
I know it's not true.
In my heart of hearts I know you are decent, loving people.
Prove it.
Speak out against unjust anger.
Protect peoples freedom of expression, religion, and speech, as opposed to being silent.
I know a good deal of my friends are Hillary supporters/Liberal/whatever.
I know you fear what may come.
As a wise Muppet once said, "Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
Everyone suffers when we are divided as such.
Don't give in to fear.
Yes, people feel validated by the rhetoric that has flown around and normalized what should be, and is considered by some as "deplorable".
You need to stand up against this.
Don't hold cry-ins. Don't move to Canada. Don't riot.
Be brave in the face of injustice.
Use your words, not your feelings.
And for christ's sake learn to see other's opinions as valid.
Stereotypes of each other that we perceive as true hurts everyone.
EVERYONE.
Not all Liberals are bleeding heart closet racists.
Not all Conservatives are cruel actual racists.
Boomers aren't all entitled.
Millennials aren't all narcissists.
Not all Muslims are terrorists that want sharia law.
Not all Blacks are serial criminals.
Not all Latinos are drug dealing rapists.
Certainly SOME of these groups are SOME of these things.
When we make broad assumptions about each other, it's far easier to develop hatred.
My dear Mother would tell me to "Spell assume."
It makes an ass of u and me.
Now, lets talk about President Elect Donald J. Trump.
I do not like this man.
Many people don't either.
Love him or hate him, he's still the President.
Yes, he lies in every breath.
Yes, he has the attention span of a gnat.
Yes, he's tapped into the same anger that Bernie tapped on the left.
Yes, he's said some truly horrid things over the last year, but here we are.
Yes, he says he's a champion of the people.
Yes, he claims he is going to "drain the swamp".
Make him prove it.
It is everyone's duty, EVERYONE'S, as citizens of this (already) great nation to hold him to task, and to push back against his dividing rhetoric.We're better than reality show drama, and we deserve better.
In the end, I suppose, it doesn't fall on the head of state to improve our lives, or the lives of others.
It's up to us.
Together.
Regardless of party.True revolution is in the mindset of a people, not in bloodshed.
Speak to each other. Get to know your neighbors.
Stand up against blatant isms, not just because it's right, but because it feels GOOD.
Think for yourself. Think about where others are coming from.
COMPROMISE.
Let's work toward a future to believe in, where we are stronger together, and hopefully, we can make America greater than it's ever been.
