“Lives are snowflakes – unique in detail, forming patterns we have seen before, but as like one another as peas in a pod (and have you ever looked at peas in a pod? I mean, really looked at them? There’s not a chance you’d mistake one for another, after a minute’s close inspection.)”
-Neil Gaiman, American Gods (American Gods, #1)
Snowflakes are beautiful. Snowflakes are unique. One would not think that would one day become an insult, made even worse by a group that refers to themselves as the alt-right.
We live in a time where we are mocked for showing compassion. The younger generation is criticized for the participation trophies they received by the generation who decided to give us the trophies in the first place. Safe spaces are mocked because we are “overly sensitive” because the *people elected someone we are terrified of.
*Read outdated electoral college.
I’m not here to make excuses. I’m here to teach people that I will not be called a “special snowflake” anymore. I will not be referred to as a “liberal bitch” anymore. I will not be told to “get over it, trump won” by someone who doesn’t understand why so many people fear this. I will not accept hate of any kind anymore. I won’t let anyone take away my rights and tell me I can’t be upset about the President and Vice President elect. Not when so many people I know and love lost that day.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I voted for Barack Obama. I have continued to be proud of my vote. He had made me proud of what he’s accomplished in office. I thank him for the affordable care act. I thank him for defending the freedoms of the people who make the world a better place. I thank him for defending Planned Parenthood. That uber-controversial place that provided me with cancer screenings and gynecological exams when I couldn’t afford it. They provided me with moral support when I was scared out of my mind and a few weeks pregnant with my beautiful son. But I digress.
President Obama is not perfect. Not a single person is perfect, everyone has flaws. Going back to snowflakes, we’re all unique. We have differing opinions. But it’s quite nice that his approval rating is so high. He was great. Even if you didn’t agree with 90% of what he believed in, you can’t honestly tell me that he wasn’t a class act. Don’t even get me started on Joe Biden. I could go on for days about how I adore him. I love what he did for women. I love how strong he is. Again, digressing. Not sorry.
I think we all need someone great to look up to. I have those two. I have Michelle. I have my Queen, Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
I realize this picture is ridiculous but I don’t care. That woman is strong and amazing. I look up to her and adore her. She doesn’t put up with sexism. She defends the people that everyone else seems to dump on. She is a champion and I love her.
There will never be a perfect president, that much I understand. Unless maybe we all drink the special world peace kool-aid and turn into zombies. But we have to start doing better. I’m proud of the person I voted for. I didn’t have any part in electing the Tang Tyrant. (I don’t know where my coworker found that nickname but it’s beautiful.) We, as a nation, deserve better! We deserve affordable healthcare. We deserve to have someone who even knows what HUD stands for. We deserve to not let some billionaire make decisions for our public schools. I’m all for people practicing their religion, but don’t force your God on a child who believes differently. We deserve to have someone who can take the heat from a COMEDY SKETCH SHOW WITHOUT HATE TWEETING IT AT 3 AM!
Can we all just promise to do better next time? Let’s not elect someone who ran a campaign off hatred and fear. Be kind. Stop calling people special snowflakes. Stop telling me, a victim of sexual assault, to get over it because he only allegedly raped some women. Stop saying CNN is fake news. Just stop. Think about what you’re about to say to a friend. A stranger. You don’t know what that person has been through. So please be kind. Let’s all set a better example for everyone so this doesn’t happen again.
I’ll step off my soapbox now. I’m sure I’ve offended just about everyone in some way.
Peace. Love. Hope. Practice it.