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This week’s election results have left me in shock filled with fear for the future of our country. It appears like most of us I did not see just how much unrest there is inside the hearts of people in this country. My head has been buried in the sand of my white middle class skin’s complacency.
“What Trump accomplished is nothing short of a populist, white working-class revolt” states an article on NPR website*. This populist, white working class is in fact an endangered species in fear of extinction and I suppose fighting for survival.
The color in the face of this country is changing. I suspect that white people who supported Trump want to cling to the position of white privilege they see themselves losing. They must fear this change and fear losing a white skin ‘birth right’ that allows them to be on top.
“This moment is not a triumph of the working class. It is a proclamation of white supremacy.” states Lena Afridi in an opinion article on the Aljazerra website. Her article goes on to give the actually statistics of the working class in the US of whom 40 percent are immigrants and people of color. **
Many hope Trump will bring back jobs lost not to the reality of a global economy but rather to technology that has created change they don’t want to accept. We do like to cling to what we know rather than to risk embracing change. The world has changed substantially in my life time including the world of work. It just has.
Trump captured the attention of his followers and capitalized on their fears to get even more power than his money has afforded him to date: keys to the oval office.
Trump’s ego drives him to say and do what ever he wants to get what ever he wants regardless of who he steps on to get it. Trump is all about Trump.
This man unfortunately has set the bar low ever so low when it comes to really bad behavior and has given permission for people to do the same. Sadly we’ve seen this play out over the course of the election. I fear it will not stop any time soon. He is a very bad role model.
And if a woman were to sit in the oval office the threat of emasculation becomes real…what becomes of male privilege? It seems both many men and women in this country are not ready for a shake up like that.
People are afraid. I am fearful too for all of us.
We’ve taken giant leaps backwards as a culture. One of my friends believes we are entering an “Age of Un-enlightenment, the Dark Ages of the 21st century”. I fear she may be right.
I feel so demoralized and keep wondering what do I do now? You too?
Some things I’ve done to help myself so far include:
-reached for support by sharing my thoughts and fears with like minded people I know. It feels better to know I am not alone
-allowed myself to feel my pain and sadness and anger
-decided to stop watching TV news. They gave precious air time and a voice to Trump all for the sake of their own ratings. I am reading more in depth news articles instead
-remembering as my mom-in-law has encouraged to be as kind as I can be to all people
-went to a peaceful gathering in my small town of Holland, MI and joined with 150 others who support unity and tolerance
-wearing a safety pin after my father-in-law told me doing so means that I am a safe respectful person to people who are different than me. This movement started in Australia in 2014 and spread to the UK after their recent challenges and now has come here over the last few days. You can find out more at http://www.vox.com/presidential-election/2016/11/10/13586322/trump-brexit-safety-pin
These are small things so far. Every step I take has helped me. I trust other steps will follow in the days, weeks and months ahead for me. The road ahead will be long and there are a vast number of unknowns. All I have control over is me and my behavior and attitudes—in remembering that I have all the power I need!
Change happens by taking one day and making one small effort at a time!
What are you doing to have a voice and take care of yourself this post election season?
** http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2016/11/working-class-trump-suppress-161112142432583.html
