Sometimes I write words down on paper and stare at them for what seems like hours.  I have never considered myself a writer, but a person who sometimes writes.   In those times, I can occasionally be funny.  I will never consider myself a comedian.  That would be disrespectful to those I hold dear to me who ACTUALLY are comedians.  As I sit here and write whatever emotional word vomit that comes out of my hazy hung-over brain, I can’t muster humor.

Donald Trump is our new president.  Oh for the love of all things holy.

Yesterday was the first time I have ever felt actually scared in my own skin.  AND I AM WHITE!  Let that sink in.  America voted for a president with zero political qualifications and has bragged about sexually assaulting women (among about a million other terrible qualities).  I am terrified for the children of this country who are told to emulate this very person.  This is how we get bullies/Hitler/Satan.  How do I tell my friends, with beautiful brown skin, to not fret about the wellbeing of their children in this hostile climate?   How do I come to grips with the selfish thought of “oh thank god my kid is a very white male”?  I am sick to my stomach.

Almost half of those who voted felt their only option was Trump.  And as much as that frightens me, it makes me 1000x more dejected to think they are really that lost.   These voters are so upset with their current environment, they actually think a Trump is the answer. I have very few Trump supporting friends.  Nor do I tend to gravitate towards the populous that voted for Trump in a social setting.  Maybe this is why I was so shocked at the results.  My very particular self-cultivated social circles didn’t provide me with much exposure to those who were finding solace in a possible Trump presidency.  I wish I would have allowed myself to see those struggles and possibly help.  This election just proved that we are so separated.  So disillusioned.  So scared.  We all want what we believe is best for “me/mine”.  We forget that we are all part of this together.  The sad truth is that this election is only going to tear us apart even more.  We are not one for all and all for one. Social media and technology is partially to blame.  This election kept us in separate silos of information.  We got news from our friends, family, and other like minded individuals.  And the sad part, is a lot of the information was WRONG.  On both sides.  We were all so set to ride off into our delusional sunset, we forgot most of the information we were reading was nothing but propaganda.  Lies dressed as truths in cheap suits.

At least my education reminds me that the pendulum swings both ways.  American history is smeared with events like slavery, genocide, witch hunts, the Trail of Tears, the Dred Scott Decision, the stock market crash, internment camps, McCarthyism, and a civil war.  We the people are stronger than all of this.  Progress will always find a way.