We’ve weathered one of the most intense two year storms.
November 8, 2016 is forever imprinted in my body. Leading up to the election, I’d been carrying a sense of dread, really since the primaries, knowing how hated Hillary Clinton was (and still is…let’s agree to stop hating a woman who’s committed her life to public service, please).
Throughout 2016, there was a sense of fear in the air. Palpable fear.
I felt at SeaTac airport days earlier when a group of women and I boarded a plane to Nevada to knock on doors. Donning our Hillary gear, we were treated as pariah. I felt it walking by the house with a confederate flag to knock on the door of their African American neighbor. I read about it online when my Bernie supporting friends plugged their noses to vote for Hillary. And it was an oddly quiet pantsuit-wearing walk through the streets of Seattle to an Election Night party. Not a high-five to be had.
We woke to trauma that’s been ingrained in our country’s history. For some of us, it was the first time we realized how marginalized too many are. We’ve been living that awakening since. And we’ve been resisting. Resisting the hate by keeping the faith and showing up for each other.
With the Midterms a day away, fear is not palpable, LOVE IS.
Love is everywhere.
Love is the conversations with strangers on planes, in the grocery store, while waiting for coffee. Love is the Muslim community who fundraised for survivors of the Tree of Life and have stood strong in front of synagogues to keep Jewish congregants safe. Love is the story I read about early voting in Georgia where when first time voters sign in, volunteers would shout this out and the entire room would erupt in applause. Love is the post from the Jewish nurse who tended the killer of the Tree of Life congregants who said,
Love. That’s why I did it. Love as an action is more powerful than words, and love in the face of evil gives others hope. It demonstrates humanity. It reaffirms why we’re all here. The meaning of life is to give meaning to life, and love is the ultimate force that connects all living beings.
This is what feels different, the humanity we are showing one another. Yes, there’s still too much hate and cruelty. Resisting the hate is so love and light. Resisting the hate are first time candidates who look like the American melting pot. Resisting the hate are first time voters showing up in record numbers. Resisting the hate are all of us who feel called to care for one another.
We are awake to the suffering of others. We know that when one person suffers we all suffer, as we are all interconnected. We are rising up to alleviate pain in ourselves, in our brothers and sisters and in our planet. WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER.
Today’s Easy Activism -
VOTE. I know many of you already have. Here’s a wonderful tool if you’re voting tomorrow and need some help with your polling place and / or ballot.
talk to five people about voting to make sure they have. Friends and family. People at the coffee shop, gas station, wherever you are, remind people to VOTE.
If people vote, we will win.
There are too many committed to suppressing votes and voices. Call out discrimination. Lend a hand. Stay engaged. Most importantly, lead with compassion for yourself and for others.
Tomorrow may, or may not be, the referendum we’re seeking. And we are on the course to meaningful and loving change.
Never give up.
Never give up.
Never give up.
In love and gratitude -
:: Genessa
P.S. I am so ready to party in the streets, so let’s win this tomorrow!!!!!