Like so many I was devasted at the results of Tuesday night. My bank account has been depleted, my tires have been worn down, my back is sore from canvassing, and my spirit ached. I told my husband first thing on Wednesday that I was going to take a break from politics and just focus on our friends and family till February…..And then three things happened:
1. I founded a debating society in my son's middle school and many of the kids' parents voted for Trump. I spend a lot of time talking to them about how to discern truth from fiction and how to verify sources. When I went in yesterday, one of the most conservative students asked if we were going to talk about the election. I responded that we weren’t because I was too upset about it to be a good leader. She looked at me and said, I’m sorry that you are sad but you should be happy to know that we can tell what the truth is you have taught us that.
2. When I got home my son (13) told me that I had to listen to VP Harris’ speech yesterday and that it was incredible. He asked me if we could go to our local Democrat Party meetings together from now on because he wants to learn how to fight against Trump.
3. My mother is a 75-year-old white woman living in Milwaukee by the lake. Today she told me about an encounter she had yesterday as she was walking home from church past an inner city school which is predominately African American. As she approached the school, she saw three kids fighting in the street — she said it was more goofing off than anything serious. One of the boys called out to her and said “he’s bullying me.” My mom responded by saying, I’m not sure about that but you all should probably get off the street so you don’t get hit. Another of the boys then said to her, “Who did you vote for.” My mom responded that she had voted for Harris. He responded by saying so you must be really sad today. My mom’s amazing response to this was:
“ I am disappointed, but I am not sad, because I know that one day I am going to be able to vote for one of you to be president. So I need you to study as hard as possible so that I can vote for you to be president before I die.”
One of the boys quickly responded, “We promise we will study hard.” All three boys then gave her a high five. As she passed them by, she heard them arguing about which of them would be president.
From these experiences, I take hope in the next generation. It is my job to fight as hard as I can to make sure that they can achieve their dreams — our dreams. I am not going to take three months off. My son and I are going to our local Democrat meeting together on Monday. All 18 students of my debate club just re-enrolled for next term, and I’ll keep on working with them to discern what truth is no matter what “fake news” they see. And my mom, well she will keep on inspiring all those around her.
So take time to mourn, but don’t lose faith, what we do does make a difference even when we lose. Be intentional in spreading hope around you. But above all else, don’t stop interacting with the next generation — engage them, prepare them, and instill in them the importance of fighting for our imperfect democracy,
As my veteran husband likes to say, “you need to regroup, reload and re-engage.”
