Dear…🇺🇸✊🏾

~ kegarland
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Dear America, we have spoken, and at the same time, we have set the bar low, real low.

Dear Obama Supporters, when our president ran on “hope and change” eight years ago, he was talking to us. We were supposed to have hope and enact change; we still can.

Dear African Americans, don’t be fearful of this shift in political power. Our ancestors in this country suffered much worse. Many pushed through by being active in their own communities. We can too.

Dear Women, our work in this country is historical. We’ve risen because of great women and we will continue do so. Complacency should not be in our vocabulary.

Dear Latinos and Hispanics, Asians and Arabs, don’t be afraid to raise your voices about concerns that impact you and your families. That’s what makes America different.

Dear Immigrants, don’t leave and don’t play small. Your presence in this country is required to “Make America Great Again!”

statue-of-liberty-359341_1280Dear White People who “Felt the Bern” and “Stood with Her,” remain passionate about your platform. Do work in your own way that continues the positive shift you’d envisioned.

Dear America, we have spoken, and now it’s time for us to continue to raise our voices through meaningful work. Let’s not wait for the next four years to get fired up.

 

67 thoughts on “Dear…🇺🇸✊🏾”

  2. I agree with you that we have set the bar low, and also appreciate a voice of unity and compassion. I hear too many divisive voices — coming from those I agree with politically as well as those I don’t — so we need more voices like yours — a voice that brings everyone in without compromising your own values and position.

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    1. Thank you! Trust me. It was hard to develop these thoughts the morning after. Like the rest of the country, I was in shock. In fact, I’m still trying to figure out what my next steps are but I know I need to do something more to be involved.

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      1. Wow! I hadn’t looked at the date. Now I’m really impressed that you put out such a measured response so quickly. May I always have someone as cool, calm, and collected as you on hand in times of crisis 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Hello Dr. Garland. How are you? Long time no speak!

    Great piece!

    This past week since the election has been rough. I have been trying to keep my head up – but the fact that Trump was elected is absolutely devastating. It has completely thrown me off. It deeply frightens those around me and threatens their sense of safety.

    I have always been very far to the Left – but now, more than ever, I believe that the American system does not afford any protection for the most vulnerable. Just seeing the way the Democratic Party has been so quick to embrace Trump and say they want to work with him is astounding and, to be frank, hurtful. I think we need to organize a movement outside of the government and its politics to protect ourselves and our loved ones. I am impressed by all of these rallies, and all of the public strategy meetings as well.

    What do you think we need to do?

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    1. Heeeey Darryl! I know you’ve been hiding or something? Thanks. I wrote it that morning and just really spoke from my heart because I could literally feel everyone’s dismay/disappointment/defeat? Think about this though…why were we so thrown off? I’ve decided that it’s because we’ve been delusional about quite a few things. I’m still in process right now but the word “mobilize” keeps coming to mind. I think you’re right. We have to act outside of the govt. We cannot legislate or pray our way to freedom. We have to get up and actually do something…if I come up with anything, you’ll hear about it, really.

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      1. I absolutely agree! Trump being elected should not have been a surprise in a country based on genocide and slavery. But for some reason, I think for the sake of sanity, many feel the need to cling to the fairy tales because if we confess to ourselves we live in an evil country, reality becomes unbearable.

        I look forward to more of your wisdom on this! There definitely needs to be more mobilization.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I have a thought about the wall that I don’t want to say here. Let’s just say, I think his supporters are expecting a wall, so I think he’d better build one. Although, I’m hoping he won’t.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much MLK. It was tough to write, but I hate for the country to wholeheartedly believe that we’re doomed. There’s always hope as long as we’re willing to do the work.

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  10. Good morning K E. Yes, inspiring post as always. I am, actually part of a group that you did not address. No, it isn’t the full blown Trump supporter group, but a not mentioned group, nonetheless.
    This was not an easy election for me. I struggled for months and talked to many people on both sides of the issues. I watched the debates, expecting–hoping–each time that I would step away with a clear answer. It didn’t happen. I won’t go into which of the issues I struggled with the most, but it was more than one…more than two. I would go days, even weeks, with what I felt was a clear answer, only for some new develop to creep its way into media and shake my resolve once again. So I looked deeper and considered each candidate’s running mate and how he would impact future decisions. Looking at each candidate as a package with his/her (felt good to type that) running mate helped me choose and make peace with a decision. Still, I woke election morning with an upset stomach and with doubt pacing just outside my resolve. I voted, and it was a relief to finally have it done. Then, all that was left to do was watch the results unfold.
    My candidate choice won the election vote while the candidate I didn’t choose won the popular vote. How ironic this was for me…that even America as a whole was split down the middle and divided. Late that night, I felt pride as I watched our next President accept his new position. Then, the next morning, I cried as I watched a historic concession speech from a strong woman who had carried so much hope for, not only women, but so many others as well.
    I know many people are afraid this week as the realization of what happened sinks in. I know what this feels like because I experienced it eight years ago. Most of my fear had stemmed from not knowing what would happen. I don’t do well with change, and I am frightened by it; however, I accepted the results and accepted our new leader. This is what I hope America can do for our new leader. Our process of democracy has prevailed for 240 years, and even when results are not in favor of what I desire, I am happy that, in America, the people get to choose. I pray that good will come for all in the next four years. Truly, this is what I pray.
    Again, friend, this post is inspiring and a beautiful example of embracing a circumstance and encouraging others by reminding them of the freedom they have to continue fighting for what they believe in. You are a good example to those who are responding in negative ways–unproductive ways–to their disappointment and fear. For the short time I have known you through written thoughts, you have impressed me with the depth and presentation of your convictions and your passion to use this platform to inspire others. .

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    1. Thanks for your kind words. I truly appreciate them and I’m glad that my true self shines through. I honestly believe that there is hope in any situation, even this one that seems for some, hopeless. You’re brave to say you voted for the president-elect. If you don’t mind my asking, how did you come to that decision? Without my sounding as if I’m attacking you, I’d like to know how you reconciled Donald Trump’s hate-filled rhetoric for everyone except white men and brought yourself to vote for him? I’m asking because I want to understand and I think you might provide an answer.

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  17. Great post Kathy, hope and change are essential to life regardless of what’s going on in politics. May I add:

    Dear World Leaders, don’t be trolled by the man. Presidents come and go, but the lives of 7 billion people and our planet do not function in four year cycles- keep that at the forefront of your dialogues.

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    1. Thanks Mek. This is a great addition. I wished we ALL knew our lives do not function in four year cycles. That’s going to be my next fully written message. I’m tired of people getting all worked up, angry, happy, and sad because of an election. Meanwhile, all kinds of stuff happens in the interim that affects all of our lives, locally, nationally, and internationally.

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  18. I agree, let’s not sit on our laurels.

    I will miss the Obama’s, they have so much class. I just hope people are appreciative of all they’ve done for this country considering the mess we were in 8 years ago.

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    1. JC, my brain is in overload trying to think of ways to maintain momentum. I think we’ve had enough of functioning within these 4-by-4 election cycles of hopelessness.

      I will miss them too. For once, there were zero scandals. Each part of their family seems wholesome and “normal.” Ugh…just ugh!

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      1. I know, I hope people don’t just wait for the next four years and hope someone shows up. I was thinking it might be Obama himself who poeple will look up to and ask him to lead. I mean what would be better an ex-president who doesn’t need to think about 4 year election cycles and one as popular as he is, 57 persent approval rating. And he can find poeple to run for office, like minded poeple.

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  19. My heart aches for my minority friends –Black, Muslim, disabled and all others. It may seem like a small thing, but never forget: it’s our current president, as well as his wife and children, who are a class act, who set an example for all of us. Our country saw fit to elect him twice. I’m frightened, but I hold on to hope.

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    1. I do understand your concerns Belinda and thank you for sharing them. But my thoughts are that whilst Muslims, the disabled and whoever you term as “others” may well be described as the “minority”, I would not consider Black people to be part of a group. Black people are not in the minority. They are a very well established members of the human race and in no way shape or form should they be considered a minority. Iit is pretty obvious where this thinking comes from, being labelled and not considered equals. Please do not be offended, but try to see that this is faulty thinking and not how Black people wish to be viewed. Thank you.

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      1. I grately appreciate you sharing this. It helps when others are willing to open up a dialogue on what concerns them about issues of their own dignity. I’ve learned, or strive, to see people for who they are, and that includes acknowledging race, disability, gender, sexual preference…but not to define people completely by those categories. I do not wish you to think I consider you lesser for any reason, especially since this is our first contact. I follow Kathy’s blog because I respect her views, intelligience, heart and humor. She challenges me. I see her as Black, but while that is an important part of her identity it is far from her whole identity. (I’m using her as an example because we both know her — admittedly I’ve never met her face-to-face, but you learn a lot about people who are open in their writing). I shared your thoughts with a friend of mine, who is also Black as well as outspoken about everything, and we had a good talk about it. I grew up in the 60s when racial issues were being discussed, battled, and worked through by those willing to acknowledge an imbalance existed. It shaped my thinking, some for the better, some for the worse, the worse part being it did create a divide in that I was learning to “accept everyone” which implicity, as you said, labels others and tells us they’re not equal. I believe by facing our own ingrained and often subtle bigotry we can move forward. So again, thank you for sharing with me and thereby opening up a dialogue.

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      2. You are more than welcome Belinda. Thank you for taking the time to explain where you are coming from on this. I knew you meant well and so I tried to be as diplomatic as possible. I don’t want to be upsetting Kathy’s followers! :))

        I hope I didn’t sound as if I was putting you in your place, but I feel very strongly about this as a Black woman, a term which I really don’t like. I don’t want to be seen as a “colour”. I much prefer to be addressed as a nationality rather than a colour. The only ethnicities to be related to as a colour are black and white people. Who coined the term black or white? Other ethnicities are known by the place they occupy in the world: Japanese, Chinese, Asian, Indian etc. Why are all black people lumped together when they come from all corners of the globe? These are all rhetorical questions I hasten to add. I am so sick of hearing the phrase Black and ethnic minority in Britain. It really is very annoying. I honestly don’t know what this means but I feel patronised by it. Constantly I hear about Women, Black and Ethnic minorities when referred to as being poorly paid or excluded from certain careers etc. Do Black people not have male and female components? Why are they categorised in this way? Are we to assume that the women being referred to are “white women” and in the Black group this is where black women belong? Again I’m using rhetoric to make a point. As I’ve said, I have very strong feelings about this and I’m sure most black men and women feel this way when they are lumped together with for example people with a disability or a religious preference. We have to realise that Black people are not a group in the same way as you would refer to disabled groups or religious groups.
        Thank you once again for sharing with me and opening up this dialogue. I only wish there were more people like you, able to listen to another point of view and understand how simple well-meaning thoughts can be perceived as patronising. I wish you all the very best and I hope we can talk again soon.

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      3. Thank you very much, and you’ve inspired me to consider a blog post on the topic. I’m not sure where I would begin! My fear is by opening up my thoughts on the subject, I could say something really demeaning without realizing it. Thank you for being willing to listen to me and to share.

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      4. Belinda, I am so happy that I’ve inspired a blog post on this topic.:) I would love to read it when you get around to writing it.:) I am sure that whatever you say will be written with love. Don’t be scared to write because you think you may say something demeaning. If we all thought like that, there would be no writers. If it is not intentional, then no offence will be taken: it will instead open up a dialogue as we have done here. In fact, not plugging my blog in any way, your comments remind me of a post I wrote recently called “We write to “right” right?” I’d love for you to check it out and see if you agree. Best wishes, Marie

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    2. I thought I’d responded to this Belinda, so apologies that it seems I didn’t. Thank you. I admire the current president, not because he’s African American, but because he seems like a caring human being. His persona is open and inviting and he and his family are the epitome of class. Frightening is a great way to describe these current times.

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      1. I admire both the President and First Lady for their class, dignity, intelligence and humor…plus I think he’s done good things while in office. I saw him on the Ellen DeGeneres show once talking to a five-year-old presidential expert — this girl knows more facts about our nation’s presidents than all of my friends put together, Ithink — and he treated her with such respect, not in the condescending manner many have with children, but as a person worthy of his respect. And he’s President!! I don’t expect to ever see that with Mr. Trump.

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