Dear Lauren and Charlie,
I have written and rewritten this post many times, because I was trying to find the right words to explain my feelings and emotions about the state of our country. As you will learn, Donald Trump is now our new president. I did not vote for Donald Trump, and I am horrified that someone of his character would be elected as the leader of our country. His behavior and actions are definitely not examples I would uphold for my children and I am disappointed that so many men and women are able to look past those characteristics. It sends the wrong message, and now I feel that it is more important than ever to impress upon you two that a person's behavior and character matter!
I don't want to alarm you, because you both will be just fine under President Trump's administration. You are both white children, have parents who adore/support you, live in a nice community, attend wonderful schools, have a father who earns a good living, and live in a home filled with endless toys/amusements, heat in the winter, A/C in the summer, and plenty of food in the kitchen. You two will still have every opportunity to grow and learn. But the experiences of your life story are not the same script in someone else's life. You should never feel guilty for your own life, but I would be remiss if you don't grow up to appreciate the privilege you have been given, and acknowledge the disparity in life experiences throughout this country.
After seeing how America has so easily elected a president who openly mocked people with disabilities, encouraged violence against people with different opinions, bragged about sexually violating women, and bullied people left and right, I was very disheartened and worried about the future you both would encounter. This was not the leader I would like you to see and grow to know. That is not to say I was excited about the other candidate. Hillary Clinton would have been the first female president, but she also came with her own character problems. It would have been nice to see a female do the unthinkable and become president, but I was hoping for someone who would be able to lead by example and bring this country together. Unfortunately, both candidates seemed intent on driving us apart, and people in our country were placed in a horrible position.
This country is truly a melting pot of different cultures, religions, sexual orientations, and beliefs. That is what makes us great. Imagine how boring the country would be if we were all the same race, religion, etc. Diversity is our greatest asset and it is also our greatest downfall. Too many Americans fear the things they do not know and refuse to look beyond their own experiences/beliefs to see what all the differences in our country, and the world, have to offer.
A lot of people, even a fair amount of women, have been quick to make fun of and shut down the millions of women, around the world, who marched on January 21, 2017. They said we should "get a job", called us ungrateful to march when we already have so much, thought we were an embarrassment, and many, including some of our governmental leaders, made comments to the effect of "good to see fat women getting some much needed exercise". They depicted us as angry/vulgar women who hated men. But that was not my experience, and those nasty remarks would not sway me from doing what I felt to be right!
Throughout the whole experience, I kept thinking back to the women who marched for the right to vote one hundred years ago. At the time, many people shut them down, disagreed with them, and called them horrible names. But they marched anyway and now I, along with many of the women who have been putting down the current marchers, have the right to vote for our president. While I am not happy with the outcome of this election, I will always be grateful for my opportunity to vote.
And that is why I marched. Not because I was ungrateful or an embarrassment. Not for myself, but for the women who might not have the same opportunities as me, both here in America and around the world. Not for myself, but for the men and women who face hate and discrimination every day, whether because of the color of their skin, their religion, or the person they chose to love. Not for myself, but for the next generation of boys and girls who will have to live with the consequences of our current government, and certainly deserve a more inclusive future.
I did not march in protest of our President. He was not my choice, but he is my president, and I will always respect the office.
And I did not march in hate, but rather in hope. The hope that President Trump will acknowledge that there are people in our country and around the world that are not able to get an equal footing. Whether we like it or not, some people have it easier than others and we cannot forget to look out for each other. Our country is only as strong as all of it's citizens.
Time will tell what sort of President Donald Trump will become. Perhaps he will heal this country and look out for everyone. We will just have to wait and see.
But I will not "wait and see" when it comes to teaching you both to be good citizens and good people. I want you to understand that we don't pick presidents based on what they can do for us, but rather what they can do for the country. Also, I ask that you always stand up for those who may not be as fortunate as others, and that you will always try to create a bridge between a difference of ideas, instead of driving them apart.
So I will keep on marching, and perhaps one day you both will join me! Until then, I am proud that you are surrounded by wonderful women, and men, who chose to speak out for the rights of others and for your futures. I marched alongside Meemaw, Aunt Sarah, Pastor Patty, and Aunt SA, while Uncle Mike and Grandpa happily supported us, and your cousin Juliana marched in Oregon. I rest easy in knowing that while our current President will never be a role model for you two, these people will be the guiding lights and examples to help shape your valuable future. Look to them, but also look inside yourself, because you both have everything it takes to be a good and compassionate human being!
Love,
Mom
Here are some photos from this incredible day!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment