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.
Congratulations to President Barack Obama- four more years.
