The last few days have been very difficult for me. I have not been able to stop crying.
After a lot of introspection - why do I feel this heart-broken, I have come to the following understanding.
It was not about who won or who lost. Politicians will come and politicians will go.
This was not about party affiliation. The pendulum swings and it will swing the other way.
I know that personally, I will be fine, eventually. And I have nothing to fear, either.
This election has fed the wolf symbolic of hate, racism, sexism, misogyny, bigotry and xenophobia. And that is what is killing me.
To those who will come into power, I have just this to say - Take my country but please do not tear it apart. May good judgment prevail upon you. May you govern with the principles of liberty, justice and equality for all. I honestly wish you all the very best.
After a lot of introspection - why do I feel this heart-broken, I have come to the following understanding.
It was not about who won or who lost. Politicians will come and politicians will go.
This was not about party affiliation. The pendulum swings and it will swing the other way.
I know that personally, I will be fine, eventually. And I have nothing to fear, either.
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
This election has fed the wolf symbolic of hate, racism, sexism, misogyny, bigotry and xenophobia. And that is what is killing me.
To those who will come into power, I have just this to say - Take my country but please do not tear it apart. May good judgment prevail upon you. May you govern with the principles of liberty, justice and equality for all. I honestly wish you all the very best.
((((Hugs)))) even here in canada we are in shock. What scare me the most is that the shock and anger become numbness and indifference. This can't become the new normal. ((((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteYou are not alone in your sentiment. Continue to pray for those in power.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Preeti. I think I'm still in shock. I don't have kind, wise words.
ReplyDeleteOh Preeti, I did a fair bit of crying myself and I'm Canadian. What causes you dismay is what causes me dismay. How much harder it must be for you. I worry about those in my country who are feeding the wolf of hate,racism,sexism,etc. We need courage as we work to feed the good wolf.
ReplyDeleteYou have said it well. I struggle too with my thoughts and feelings. Yes, we will survive. I love the quote you added, I hope it is okay, I will share on Facebook with my family and FB friends. Thank you
ReplyDeleteSending you loving thoughts Preeti. Remember people say things to get what they want at the time, but it's not really them, and we are often manipulated by the media who sensationalise things.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Kate x
Thank you for your wise words, Preeti. I especially appreciated the thought that politicians and parties come and go, but we will surivive it and be okay. Definitely - may good judgment prevail. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteTime to spread some love and kindness in anyway we can. Even little things make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand how you're feeling Preeti. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo very well put! Thank you so much. I'm sharing it on my Facebook page so it will spread a little further.
ReplyDeleteHopefully common sense will prevail.
ReplyDeletethank you for expressing what so many of us are feeling, that feeling of dread in the pit of our stomachs.
ReplyDeleteWell said. I hope things play out well. I came back to Canada last night after four days in the US. We were questioned heavily (not normal for us) trying to enter the US, and the customs officer searched the car. I think our annual shopping trips are over for some time. As a Canadian woman of colour, I don't feel comfortable being in the US...at least not until I see how things play out. I wish all my American friends the best and encourage more people to get out and vote next time.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how you feel, at all. Sometimes we win, and sometimes we lose. I personally am glad of the results and hope for better things for my friends and family members who have been impacted by things that have happened in the last years. Even when policies hurt those I love, I was still glad to be in America, and certainly wasn't afraid of what one elected official could do to our country. Don't be afraid. All will be well. homebody creations
ReplyDeleteI am not afraid of one person, one official, or any policy. It is not about personal victory or personal loss for me. I am worried about the increased incidence of hate crimes. Because some of my countrymen think it is okay to do so now, when earlier they may have refrained. I am worried for my friend who wears a headscarf. I am concerned for my Sikh friends. My heart goes out to all the worshippers at the Episcopal Church in Silver Spring where the wall of the parish's memorial garden was vandalized.
ReplyDeleteI hope things work out for your friends and family.
Oh, Preeti, I totally get it. I'm still in mourning and can't bear to watch the news, which is just more awful by the day. Wish I lived near you so we could meet for coffee and help support each other through the next few years. For now, here's a virtual quilty hug!
ReplyDeleteAll the best - for all of us! I too am in shock but have pledged to move forward in love and kindness - and let's not forget the safety pin that indicates to others that we are a safe haven. There is no darkness where there is light - let's get those bright lights shining!! xxoo
ReplyDeleteFor those who fear and are sad, do you have so little faith in your friends, family, coworkers and aquaintances that they will immediately become horrible vengeful violent people? Do you see acts of hate and violence becoming the norm, everyday in every town immediately?
ReplyDeleteMinorities are a protected class in this country by LAW. That is, if a similar threat is made against a non-minority, police do not have to investigate. If a threat is made against a minority, police MUST investigate.
This fear is not warranted. Things will go on as they always have, people will behave as they always have, this happens every. single. election. And we all go on together, as we always have.
Those who commit crimes will be persecuted. As they always have. Step away from the news, it's only purpose is to keep you in fear. There is nothing of purpose, except fear, in the news. KNow your neighbors. Volunteer. Be grateful for what you have. Love your families. Live your life. What happens around you and how you react is MORE IMPORTANT than any talking head on the news. UNderstand that YOUR actions have more affect on the world than any politician.
Do you have so little faith in your friends, family, coworkers and acquaintances that they will immediately become horrible vengeful violent people?
DeleteThere are horrible sides to each one of us (like the wolves in the Cherokee story). The hate and venom that was spread in the days leading up to the election has fed that horrible side in many people. And some of those people are letting that horrible/vengeful side show.
Do you see acts of hate and violence becoming the norm, everyday in every town immediately?
Hate crime is not new. And yes, there is a marked uptick in hate crimes. Yes, I see it. Yes, I have heard about it. I mentioned Silver Spring in my post.
Some people are more vulnerable to it. Those who are not vulnerable can pretend it does not exist, or it is no more than usual. I may not be as vulnerable as some others but I am not immune to its existence. Most IMPORTANTLY, a crime against any woman is a crime against me; a crime against any person of color is a crime against me; a crime against any person of any faith, where that crime was committed because of the victim’s faith, is a crime against me. I was raised to believe that whole world is one family.
Minorities are a protected class in this country by LAW.
And yet these crimes happened - Freddie Gray, Philando Castile, Jamar Clark, Oak Creek shootings, Charleston Church shootings and so many more.
Protection does not prevent hate crime. Love, kindness and empathy do.
This fear is not warranted.
Try telling that to all the unarmed black men who have been shot and killed, or to the woman who was pushed to the ground and her headscarf yanked away, to the Sikhs who were shot and killed/wounded in the Oak Creek , Wisconsin gurudwara shootings, or to the black churchgoers that were shot/killed in the Charleston church massacre. And all that was BEFORE this divisive election!!!
Things will go on as they always have, people will behave as they always have, this happens every. single. election.
No. This election was different. Never before did any politician use such hateful rhetoric, targeted a single religion, called an entire race as rapist/drug-dealer.
And we all go on together, as we always have.
Together? How can we be together, if you refuse to even acknowledge the reality of our fears?
Some of us may not care about what happens beyond our families. Some of us do.
Do not disregard others’ fear and pain. It is easy to do and it is divisive and dangerous.
Those who commit crimes will be persecuted.
They may be. I am more interested in prevention. Persecution of the criminal does not erase the victim’s pain, nor does it prevent future hate crimes.
Step away from the news, it's only purpose is to keep you in fear.
I disagree with you. Some of us may find solace in turning off the news and burying our heads in sand. Just because one is unaware of it, does not mean it does not happen. If I want to respond to an issue, and try solving it, I have to first acknowledge it.
There is nothing of purpose, except fear, in the news. KNow your neighbors. Volunteer. Be grateful for what you have. Love your families.
It is easy to love your family. But that is not enough. I am urging everyone to be loving and kind to people who are not your family, who look different from us, who pray different from us, who speak a different language and who believe in a different lifestyle. Today, more than ever before, I resolve to stand for love, kindness, tolerance and inclusivity.