Happy Friday? Happy Friday!
This has been quite a week, but here we are. Many of us awoke Wednesday—and remain—nauseated with fear that Trump will attempt to carry out the extreme promises he made during his election: a ban on Muslims entering the US, the deportation of children of immigrants (not to mention their parents), and the rolling back of women’s reproductive rights among them. I spent the afternoon after the election with my 99-year-old grandmother. When I fell apart while expressing some of those fears to her, she put her hand on my arm. “That’s not gonna happen,” she said.
None of us know, of course, what exactly is going to happen. But after nearly a century of life my grandmother, a staunch and stubborn optimist, has little time or use for fear. I’m trying to follow her lead on this.
Fear is what has divided the US so deeply. It fueled the campaign of Donald Trump, whose main issues included terrorism, immigration, and the right to carry guns. I didn’t vote for him, but a lot of people did. And like it or not, as President Obama reminded us on Wednesday, we’re all on the same team now. I don’t have to pretend he represents my views, but I certainly don’t want this country to crash and burn, divided.
So what we’re going to need, in spades, is courage. The courage to move forward with the same open hearts and good intentions that motivated us before this election. We’re going to bravely prepare ourselves and each other for what the Trump administration might bring, to foster a strong, grass-roots movement that reflects our values, and to try to understand those who may not agree with us.
If you want to see what that courage might look like, just watch Hillary Clinton’s inspiring, patriotic concession speech again. And perhaps take some comfort in knowing that on a crisp day upstate yesterday, she took her dogs for a walk in the woods, and even smiled. If she can move forward with that kind of dignity, so can we.
“Elections have endpoints. Social progress does not,” wrote Ann Friedman in a call to action at the Cut. It’s true that Tuesday’s result felt, for many of us, like the death of a dream. But as Friedman wrote, “Hillary was always a beginning and never an endpoint.” This election can also be the first page in a new chapter—one that sees a widespread, grassroots movement toward the diverse, inclusive country that more Americans than ever want to be a part of.
“The president can only hold a finger to the wind,” said Gloria Steinem. “We must become the wind.”
So how do we do that? Quartz’s Indrani Sen outlined a crystal clear list of ways to get involved, complete with organizations that would welcome your donations and volunteer hours. Desperate for kids to have a better role model? Contact the Boys & Girls Club. Blind with fury and fear about women’s reproductive rights? Donate to Planned Parenthood. (One friend dedicated her donation to Mike Pence: “Housewarming gift.”) Slate has tips too.
If you’re not sure where to start, try local organizations (for example, NYC Service or New York Cares, if you’re in New York). You’re not helpless—and if you’re feeling despondent, taking some action might be good medicine. Bring a friend, or just go by yourself. You won’t be alone for long.
About that political divide. It’s vast, I know. But spewing hatred toward those we view as responsible for Trump’s election doesn’t do much for our message of tolerance. A break from social media might help. If you encounter a racist attack, Quartz’s Akshat Rathi wrote a guide to safely intervening.
I promise not to make a habit of quoting Nietzsche but he did say this: “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster.” Or just remember Michelle Obama: “When they go low, we go high.”
What if I don’t even know a Trump supporter? Learn about the people who voted for him. Yes, they helped elect a racist who has bragged about assaulting women. That doesn’t make them all racists who brag about assaulting women. Here are a few pieces of writing I’ve found helpful:
Quartz’s Lauren Brown on the function of empathy in this election.
Tikkun editor and rabbi Michael Lerner on why we must stop shaming Trump supporters (short and sweet).
Cracked editor David Wong on seeing US cities from the outside, and how that contributed to Trump’s rise (highly readable and even funny).
Washington Post reporter Eli Saslow on “The White Flight of Derek Black“—a profile of the heir apparent to the white supremacy leadership, who did a 180-degree-turn after his college classmates’ had the courage to treat him with respect and inclusivity.
Okay, that was a lot. Soon after I wiped my tears away Wednesday, my grandmother said, “Alright, let’s get out the chocolate,” and three generations of my family’s women sat down around a babka.
Remember to keep your strength up by caring for yourself and your loved ones, whether that means playing outside, cooking comfort food, or going out dancing. (There’s a party at New York’s Natural History Museum tonight! Maybe the Planetarium could help us with some perspective?)
Take a deep breath, and do your best to have a great weekend!
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A Tribe Called Quest’s new album, We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, came out today. Along with the late Phife Dawg’s final verses, it features contributions from Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak, Jack White, and more. I’ve only just started listening, but so far it promises lots of progressive lyrics and positive vibes.