This morning, when I broke the news to my 7 year old before school (who has been very interested and worried about this election), I let him know that good people all over this country and this planet continue to work for justice, peace, and care, and that we would continue to do the same. I also told him that we are fortunate to be woven into multiple fabrics of community--from family, to neighborhood, to school, to our UU congregation, and that we can all lean on each other in difficult times. Parenting in these moments is, I believe, also a form of self-care--I must tell myself what I'm telling him, choose to remember what I want him to remember.
I love this, Sarah Rose. I have reminded myself of the wise words shared during our panel, that parenting is care beyond what we do for our own children. It is climate work and more.
One of the hardest things I've had to do is get up this morning and come to campus to teach two classes. I've already had a few students email to say that they just can't come in. They are too devastated and can't stop crying. Personally, I got up this morning and took my dog for a walk in the woods for an hour because nature and dogs help heal me. I tried to stay in the NOW and look around rather than ruminate on what happened last night. Today I'm going to start my classes with the offer to talk. I want the young women (and men) in my class to know that I care and that I know this is not the America many of them thought they'd be living in. But then I thought--maybe it IS the America that's always been here--racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobic--but Trump just gave them agency to say it out loud. All I can do now is Breathe in, breathe out. And give hugs to anyone I see in the halls.
A former grad student (now friend/colleague) wrote to me to remember that morning in 2016. We took walks around campus together and just generally did our best to stick together. That's what we have to do. I do think campus is a different (better) place than in 2016.
Thank you for the positivity of reaching out and trying to maintain some since of connection to each other, to humanity, to the things we believe in, and the belief that there is goodness in some of us. It is hard, very hard, to maintain that belief in the face of the outcome. I feel beaten, bruised, emotionally shattered. . . and am trying to resist the notion that nothing matters, that nothing can be counted on, anymore. I am especially thinking about my 14-year old niece and the world she will grow up in. I am thinking about the pregnant girls who have died, and will die, in Texas hospital emergency rooms. I am thinking about all girls and women who will have to endure the elevation and worship of misogyny and abuse that will come, and wishing, searching, for something positive to say. I still want to believe that most Americans view girls and women, and people of color, as equally worthy and valuable friends and neighbors, but I don't know anymore that I can say "most." I am now hoping for "some," and to the extent that you sharing your communications helps affirm "some," I will gratefully accept it.
Thank you, Mark. I agree. I'm gutted for my daughters and all girls and women and struggling with the idea that cis men, a lot of them, don't see them as equal or deserving of rights. For the idea that families from their school and community could and will be harmed, deported. I agree that some is a starting place, and I will add this: Down Home NC is a group where you see multiracial, multi-generational, radically inclusive community-building AND you see a lot of great men there doing the work.
Asa, my middle son, cried last night when Trump took the early lead. I wasn't home, I was at a meditation class with our oldest. But Asa told his dad that Trump had said he wanted to institute "The Purge." My husband tried telling him that couldn't be true, but apparently there's a video from a rally, and he did say something like that. Asa is scared. I'm scared of a national abortion ban and forced birthing, which is already happening in some states. There's a lot to be scared of, but I am grateful NC is purple and the supermajority isn't intact.
Yes, Misha! Asa is such a sweet, empathic boy and I agree, it's all terrifying. I told Bea that she'd feel better at school, where she could hug her friends and teachers. She told me the day before that she and her friends talked about how the book they'd read in class, _Ezperanza Rising_, showed some of the threats people would face under Trump. I'm going in a little while to a performance they're all doing around it.
Yes, that's a good one. We have that one here on the shelf. One can only guess at how the next four years will unfold. It's overwhelming, but hugs from friends always help.
Tammy Baldwin won re-election to her senate seat in Wisconsin
My friend Ann Roe won her seat in the state assembly, and since our maps were redrawn (finally) this year we went from a 64-34 with one vacant republican advantage (in a state that votes 50-50 on statewide races) to 52-44 republican with 4 races still undecided.
This morning, when I broke the news to my 7 year old before school (who has been very interested and worried about this election), I let him know that good people all over this country and this planet continue to work for justice, peace, and care, and that we would continue to do the same. I also told him that we are fortunate to be woven into multiple fabrics of community--from family, to neighborhood, to school, to our UU congregation, and that we can all lean on each other in difficult times. Parenting in these moments is, I believe, also a form of self-care--I must tell myself what I'm telling him, choose to remember what I want him to remember.
I love this, Sarah Rose. I have reminded myself of the wise words shared during our panel, that parenting is care beyond what we do for our own children. It is climate work and more.
One of the hardest things I've had to do is get up this morning and come to campus to teach two classes. I've already had a few students email to say that they just can't come in. They are too devastated and can't stop crying. Personally, I got up this morning and took my dog for a walk in the woods for an hour because nature and dogs help heal me. I tried to stay in the NOW and look around rather than ruminate on what happened last night. Today I'm going to start my classes with the offer to talk. I want the young women (and men) in my class to know that I care and that I know this is not the America many of them thought they'd be living in. But then I thought--maybe it IS the America that's always been here--racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobic--but Trump just gave them agency to say it out loud. All I can do now is Breathe in, breathe out. And give hugs to anyone I see in the halls.
A former grad student (now friend/colleague) wrote to me to remember that morning in 2016. We took walks around campus together and just generally did our best to stick together. That's what we have to do. I do think campus is a different (better) place than in 2016.
Thank you for the positivity of reaching out and trying to maintain some since of connection to each other, to humanity, to the things we believe in, and the belief that there is goodness in some of us. It is hard, very hard, to maintain that belief in the face of the outcome. I feel beaten, bruised, emotionally shattered. . . and am trying to resist the notion that nothing matters, that nothing can be counted on, anymore. I am especially thinking about my 14-year old niece and the world she will grow up in. I am thinking about the pregnant girls who have died, and will die, in Texas hospital emergency rooms. I am thinking about all girls and women who will have to endure the elevation and worship of misogyny and abuse that will come, and wishing, searching, for something positive to say. I still want to believe that most Americans view girls and women, and people of color, as equally worthy and valuable friends and neighbors, but I don't know anymore that I can say "most." I am now hoping for "some," and to the extent that you sharing your communications helps affirm "some," I will gratefully accept it.
Thank you, Mark. I agree. I'm gutted for my daughters and all girls and women and struggling with the idea that cis men, a lot of them, don't see them as equal or deserving of rights. For the idea that families from their school and community could and will be harmed, deported. I agree that some is a starting place, and I will add this: Down Home NC is a group where you see multiracial, multi-generational, radically inclusive community-building AND you see a lot of great men there doing the work.
Asa, my middle son, cried last night when Trump took the early lead. I wasn't home, I was at a meditation class with our oldest. But Asa told his dad that Trump had said he wanted to institute "The Purge." My husband tried telling him that couldn't be true, but apparently there's a video from a rally, and he did say something like that. Asa is scared. I'm scared of a national abortion ban and forced birthing, which is already happening in some states. There's a lot to be scared of, but I am grateful NC is purple and the supermajority isn't intact.
Yes, Misha! Asa is such a sweet, empathic boy and I agree, it's all terrifying. I told Bea that she'd feel better at school, where she could hug her friends and teachers. She told me the day before that she and her friends talked about how the book they'd read in class, _Ezperanza Rising_, showed some of the threats people would face under Trump. I'm going in a little while to a performance they're all doing around it.
Yes, that's a good one. We have that one here on the shelf. One can only guess at how the next four years will unfold. It's overwhelming, but hugs from friends always help.
Nothing to add except to thank you and for your work in NC. >solidarity<
Thank you, Hartford.
Thanks, as always, for your words of wisdom. Thanks particularly for your comfort.
Thank you, Karen! I think we need another history bus trip.
Tammy Baldwin won re-election to her senate seat in Wisconsin
My friend Ann Roe won her seat in the state assembly, and since our maps were redrawn (finally) this year we went from a 64-34 with one vacant republican advantage (in a state that votes 50-50 on statewide races) to 52-44 republican with 4 races still undecided.
Those are very good, very bolstering facts. Love Tammy Baldwin and I bet your friend is awesome too!
Harriet my little love! You just gave me some hope! And you and Bea too,Belle!
I have tears to spare if you need any
Thank you, Mamie! I guess we'll live to tell the tale?
Thank you, Belle and for the wise comments of Sarah too.
Thank you, Emily!