An Open Letter to Americans

Those who know me know that I am not political. I have my opinions, of course, but I rarely discuss politics. Conversations like this are divisive, contentious, and deepen already ingrained opinions. But in the shadows of the results from this week's election, I can hardly remain silent.

Let me start by saying that I didn't vote for Trump. Or Hillary. I voted for a third party candidate. I didn't care for either major candidate, and felt that neither expressed my values or beliefs. Yet here I am, days after the votes have been cast, wondering how this has happened. How has a man who bred bigotry, hatred, and anger been elected to govern our nation? How can someone who criticizes, demeans, and belittles people receive support from anyone? I, like so many, am baffled.

However, the president elect is not my greatest fear. I have faith in the system of our government, the establishment envisioned and structured by our Founding Fathers. I know that the system of checks and balances will keep drastic and horrifying things from destroying our country. What I am worried about is our people. Checks and balances in Washington D.C. cannot take back hateful words. They cannot minimize the anger that grows within the hearts of so many following this election. Politicians cannot heal the hurt.

I was openly offended and distraught by Trump's words about women. His treatment of women is both archaic, appalling, and utterly inappropriate. But I cannot say that I understand how it feels to be judged by the color of my skin. I cannot say that I know how it feels to have someone threaten to deport all members of my religion. I cannot say that I know how it feels to be called a rapist or a drug dealer, simply because of my ethnicity. I will, hopefully, never know what that feels like.

Remember this: We don't need to perfectly understand another person's fears or trauma to be able to support them and be compassionate. We don't need to pass through another's experiences to be able to offer respect and courtesy. We do not need to be able to experience all to be a support for all.

If there's one thing that this election has proven, it's that racism, bigotry, hatred, anger... They're all real. They burn and grow within the hearts of many Americans. But I also know that compassion, charity, love, support, truth... Those are also very real. This is a defining moment in America's history. Will we choose to fuel hatred, or will we choose to fuel love? Will we choose to let our leaders dictate how we treat and respect others? Or will we rise up, reach out, listen deeply, and attempt to heal and understand our neighbors? I know what I will choose.

Ultimately, progress is rarely made by debating politics. Progress is made by considering and understanding people. We make progress not by discussing issues, but by discussing solutions. We make progress when we put aside differences to find commonalities. We make progress when we realize that we are all more alike than we are different. We are Americans, and if we are to push past the rubble of this election, that must continue to mean something to each of us.