So What Now: Digesting the Sweet Election Victory

You know, I did not know how liberated and empowered I felt as an American until I almost lost it all. Yesterday, I was genuinely scared … for numerous reasons.

One, I was scared that I was going to have to struggle for the remainder of my life. I know it sounds extreme, but it's true. The democratic and republican agendas differed so much that I would virtually live one of two extremes for the next four years. Also, the political self-esteem of minorities in this country is fragile. If we had lost the election yesterday, I’m not sure how powerful we would feel in the legislative process. “My vote doesn’t count” was said way too often yesterday. I was worried that this counterproductive mindset would scar us – and the future generations to come. That would ultimately change my livelihood forever. 

Two, I watched true American ignorance and desperation yesterday- from both democrats and republicans. When asked why they supported Romney, people said, “I … I just… believe in his policies.” When asked which policies, they could not answer. Mitt Romney and Barack Obama were both likened to the devil yesterday, and I heard democrats limiting republicans to “white people”. How limited. Like Joe Biden, our two-term vice president, is not white? This election has shed an ugly (but much needed) light on the division, classism, and racism in this country. Throughout this election, I have felt as though I’m perceived as “too incompetent” of making my own decisions about my sexuality, my body, education and career. That scares me because it is very reminiscent of a much older, hare-filled time.

Nevertheless, I feel empowered , proud and I have a little more hope in my country. At the end of the day, there are more struggling, compassionate, underrepresented people in this country than not. I hope they can see how their voice affects the nation. There is power in numbers and we can implement benevolence into politics. Those two concepts do not have to be oil and water. I am confident that we can work together for a stronger, cohesive livelihood in America. 

Congratulations to President Barack Obama- four more years. 

thoughts stacked high.

"life, i learned is not fair. if they teach anything in schools, that should be it." -Nicholas Sparks

So. I’m sitting in LAX with a $2.80 Starbucks banana bread and $3.30 water in my lap, trying to evaluate the holidays. This past week in Los Angeles was exactly what I needed to contextualize my life and bring in the New Year. As I reflect back on my trip, I pinpointed a few topics worthy of discussion. 

    -- I spent time with my dad and grandparents. While this may sound mundane, their insight is blowing my mind. My dad revealed things to me about his relationship with my mother- things that made me see trust, love, and honesty a little differently. Also, my grandparents have an invested interest in my love life for some odd reason. All in all, I am forced to reevaluate some things.

    --My social life and outlook of Los Angeles has simultaneously shifted. While I have a hard time dealing with Atlanta’s fifty thousand dollar “millionaires”, Los Angeles has revealed its true colors to me. It’s funny to me how the most beautiful city can be the most insecure.

     --The reason why I love my male friends so much is because they keep me grounded. They tell me their outlook (even if they know it will offend me) and they push honesty to the fullest. Discussions about my disloyalty to California men, the word “bitch”, and my blog have all had me in the hot seat.

 ... here we go;