I need some alone time. I need some time to process. I need…I don’t know. After a terrible night’s sleep, after I woke up realizing that last night’s election results were not in fact a nightmare, I feel so disheartened. I cannot wrap my brain around the fact that a man that talked so negatively about so many groups of people can then be embraced by such a large portion of this country. I’m going to get a little personal. My grandfather is in the hospital right now. He’s my last living grandparent and they don’t believe he’s going to make it. Last night my father, along with his five siblings, spent the evening saying goodbye. When my grandfather was sixteen years old, he and his siblings left Mexico to come to this country for a better life. None of them were criminals or rapists, they were just looking for a brighter future for their kids and eventually their grandkids (and greatgrandkids while we’re at it, my grandpa has several).
All throughout this election process, I’ve heard Trump talk about Mexicans as though they were undesirables, something this country could do without, but I could not do without my grandfather. I wouldn’t be here if he didn’t take a chance on this country. I could go further back in my family tree and point out that my grandmother’s mother also came here from Mexico, that my maternal grandparents are both Mexican-Americans, that their genealogy can be traced back to Mexico and parts of this country that used to belong to Mexico. I’m not going to lie, this year’s presidential election felt like a slap in the face. This felt like people were unwilling to stand up for those who may not look like them, who may not have their same background, who just needed a helping hand. I was so willing to believe that we were a better nation than this, that our greatness came from a willingness to embrace all people from all walks of life. This election’s results prove otherwise.
I am disheartened, disappointed, and I feel entirely disrespected. Not just by Trump, but by all those who voted for him, by all those who refused to vote at all, for all those who didn’t believe he could win and so voted for a third-party candidate.
I’m taking a little break. I need a few days to process, to come to terms with the state of our country. Not everyone understands why this election’s results sting so much and I don’t expect you to. Not everyone and their families were villainized during Trump’s campaigning, but mine was. This is just a small portion of what is so demoralizing about this election, there are other groups of marginalized people that woke up today not feeling like their country was looking out for them. All I ask is that you let them mourn, let them vent, let them feel everything they need to. Please do not go on Twitter and tell them to just move on, to accept the results like they’re something that can be brushed off, to be nice and kind through all of this. Have some semblance of empathy and if that’s something you can’t do, then you are part of the problem.
This was very well written, take all the time you need!
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Thanks, Ashley, I appreciate that.
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No problem!
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This was extremely well-written love and I understand where you are coming from. As a person of color the election last night was definitely a slap in the face. You take all the time you need. We’ll miss you while you’re gone.
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Thank you and my thoughts are with you as well during this time. I just feel mentally drained right now.
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((solidarity hugs)) All of my love to you and yours. Take all the time you need, Alicia. We are here for you and understand. ❤
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((hugs back)) Thank you, I really appreciate the kind words.
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I was devastated by last night’s results. As a woman with cerebral palsy it is hard not to take his comments personally. Not only is it a slap in the face but I feel the country has let us down. Take all the time you need, I completely understand and thank you for this well written post.
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I’m so sorry, you deserve better, we all do.
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I’m so sorry about your grandfather. My thoughts and prayers are you and your family.
I’m crestfallen. Last night was horrific to put it lightly. I’m sadden that I share so little with many of my fellow Americans. But Alicia, please take solace in the fact that YOU (and I) did everything within our rights and responsibility to preserve what matters to us. We stood up for our values. Take care my dear.
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Thank you, Lonna. We’re just kind of waiting, which isn’t the easiest. It’s been a hard couple of days. Appreciate the support my friend, there is comfort in knowing I’m not alone.
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Take all the time you need, and know that we are here if you need someone to vent to. ❤
Today, I felt much the same as I did on the Brexit-vote day. I don't live in the UK/US. But I sat there, watching the news coverage with disbelief. I don't understand how people can be like this. I don't understand at all.
I can't even believe there were more than 2 women who voted for him: his wife and daughter. I can't comprehend voting for someone who has no respect for your gender. The same goes for nationality. I just don't get it.
I'm sending you all the hugs I can.
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Thank you, Jolien. You know, I don’t really ever get verbally angry, I’m the type of person who stews quietly, but my goodness, this whole thing is very trying.
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I’m not a minority group, but I understand – at least as well as I can – what you mean. I am honestly horrified by the election results and absolutely terrified as to what that means for this country. I totally get why you need some time and want to add my voice in saying that we understand and are here for you.
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I really appreciate your show of support.
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Although the details are different, I am dealing with similar feelings. I am just stunned and scared and overwhelmed. I have to keep reminding myself that there are so many of us who DON’T believe in that nonsense. That we have to keep making art, and laughing and doing what we do and not hide.
But today, and for awhile, we merrymakers are going to need some time off.
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Going forward, my hope is that those of us who stood against this will have even more of a reason to stand together.
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Thoughts are with you, Alicia. I know how shaken to the core I was (and still am) over Brexit and the uncertainty of the future, and then our “leader” abandoned us and left us with someone who frankly no one has seen or heard from since, really. Although I’m not American and won’t be as directly impacted, it is scary for us all as America holds so much worldwide power and influence, and as the UK are such strong allies, it will no doubt have a knock on effect. The world in general is going through a massive shift, that will historical be talked about, taught, and dare I hope learned from, for many years to come. Fear is breeding, and among that fear, there are some trying to cash in on it. Many think it may be silly, but I feel a genuine anxiety for the future, that sometimes feels overwhelming, but what choice do we have to continue on, and hope for better times ahead? It feels… the very opposite of empowering and progressive. I for one will not quieten my voice, I will not give in to what is being forced upon us, and I refuse to let negativity and hatred win. Now is not the time for that. Stay strong. R xx
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First Brexit and now this, 2016 is turning into a terrible and eye-opening year, isn’t it? On a positive note, I’m seeing so much support in this community that I am hopeful and I’m ready for the long fight.
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This is perfect. I just spent a few days in the hospital with my grandmother, whose funeral was the day before the election. That alone was difficult, but after yesterday, I am devastated. As the daughter of an Arab immigrant, seeing the hate in this country, especially toward immigrants who worked so hard to make America what it is, makes me want to cry. I actually rescheduled a post I had ready for today because it didn’t seem right to publish it. I’m not sure when I’ll feel like writing again, either. Take all the time you need, and know that we’ll be here when you get back.
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I’m very sorry for your loss. We share so many similar feelings. Yesterday I spent a lot of time thinking about my grandfather and others like him who are just asking for a chance at a better life and the fact that so many people are embracing this xenophobic mindset. It’s sad and hurtful to those of us who are children and grandchildren of immigrants, who grew up in this country, believing in its ideals. I hope you take a well deserved break as well, to breathe, and to digest properly what has happened. I fully support you.
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Thank you. I completely agree. I love this book blogging community so much for how much we support each other. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family.
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Thank you for sharing this. Take all the time you need, and remember that you’re not alone. We have to stick together, now more than ever. *hugs*
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Thank you, seeing support like this really helps.
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Wow, I admire how coherently you managed to put this together, it’s really a great piece of writing! I could not vote, of course, but followed the American election (at least this last, ugly part) with anxiety, because I think that the choosing of the American president is very important to the world at large. That Americans chose this man over Hillary Clinton (who isn’t an ideal candidate but who I’d vote for a million times over if it meant beating Trump) is deeply troubling to me.
I’m enraged by people JOKING about this election, as well as those you mentioned, who voted third party or refused to vote because they thought they deserved better candidates, like that’s how elections work.
I hope you and your family are okay and that you’ll get through this difficult time together.
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Thank you, Kaja. It’s really hard to swallow the explanations of those who on “principle” voted for a third party candidate when they knew what kind of person Trump is. They had the privilege of voting for a third party candidate when many of us did not. Thank you again.
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I’m so sorry. I can feel the fear and the anger from here.
I’m so upset too and I’m trying to do my best for the people who will directly taking the consequences of this choice. So if you need to talk I’m here for you.
I still think that the US voting system is a joke. Why are there not counting any single vote? It’s not democracy. If it would change the system like it’s ours Hillary would have won.
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Thank you, there are a lot of emotions I’m trying to work through right now. I appreciate that very much. And yes, perhaps a reevaluation of the electoral college system is needed.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. It’s an awful time right now. Not simply a matter of “getting over it” because “my” candidate lost. It’s what Trump represents, and how somehow enough people were okay with this, that’s a real cause for dismay. I think many of us will be devastated for quite a while. Every time I think about what this means and what this country will be facing, I get upset all over again. Take time for yourself, and for your family.
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Yes, I’m still baffled by how many just shrugged off all his hateful speech like it meant nothing. Thank you, Lisa.
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I still can’t believe it either. What’s up with this world.. Here’s a virtual hug send to you from Australia, take all the time you need!
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I really appreciate that so much!
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