It’s the day after the presidential election and I woke up to a president-elect that I didn’t choose. Let me be clear, you are entitled to your opinion, I’m just not interested in hearing them. I’m not being rude, nor do I expect everyone to agree with me when I say there are major flaws in a system that elects a person that has not shown a single quality to qualify him to serve as president. The electoral college is archaic at best. The popular vote, the people of the United States, voted for a different candidate. Throughout the campaign season, I listened to the argument that the choice was between two evils. As a mother to two beautiful girls, a wife, sister and daughter of black men and a friend to mankind, I saw someone who had a lengthy work history of public service and someone who has never held a single office (appointed or elected), has a history of bankruptcies and spewed hateful rhetoric. Did my preferred nominee have her own bag of mess? Yup. But would I be worrying about our country starting a third world war because of her temperament if she was elected? Nope.
But this isn’t about me. This morning I woke up to several different groups of people: The Fearful (What about my children/spouse/family/friends?), The Not Surprised (What did you expect?), The Snarks (Oh please, you brought it on yourself because you don’t know how politics work), The Hopeful (I’m just going to hope for the best) and finally The Resilient (I’ve endured worse and I’m still standing). If you were disappointed by the outcome or dealing with post-election anxiety, here’s a list of resources to help you cope:
Six Ways to Cope With The 2016 Presidential Election Results
How to cope if your side lost on Election Day
A Few Self-Care Reminders for Anyone Having a Difficult Time After the Election
If you are part of the group of people who voted for the president-elect or feel the election will change nothing and you are going be to just fine, I’m happy for you. But I ask you to be considerate of those who are genuinely concerned about the future. Don’t dismiss their fears or concerns. Don’t tell others that it’s their fault. When you know better, you do better and perhaps this election will serve as the catalyst for change.
With love,
