This morning my 10-year-old looked me right in the eye and asked, "Mom, if Donald Trump gets elected, will we be okay?"
I've heard variations of this question since the matter first came up. Originally I laughed and assured him that he would not even get nominated since he has no experience. Then I scoffed and promised that people can't and won't support this. Gradually, I moved on to pointing out that people are good, and people will always be good, regardless of who is in charge. Lately I offer up the fact that four years isn't long at all.
And this time, fresh after the debates, the answer didn't come as easily.
Because we're not okay now.
No matter what happens on November 8th, we will forever live with the fact that roughly half of us identify with a man that -- I was going to start a list, but there's no need. They identify with THIS man; they think this is what we need more of in our world. They want this to represent us.
Our children -- who have been taught to be kind to others, treat everyone as equals, not bully people over their looks, last name, disabilities, or socioeconomic status, who were born without an ounce of hate in their pure bodies -- are inheriting a future that is half this.
The burden on their little tiny backs, that they don't even know they're carrying, crushes me as a mother and a human being.
No, we're not okay. I can't believe it, but we're not.
What the fuck, people. How are we this not okay?
But motherhood is about making things better. Right this second and in five minutes and in five days and in five weeks and in five years. My job is to work towards that, no matter how impossible it may seem. My work is to fix the unfixable and make the unbearable bearable.
"Of course we'll be okay! There are checks and balances for a reason. All of this isn't anything for you to worry about. Just a lot of talk," as I avoided the terrifying 'they're just words' phrase Trump throws around so cavalierly. "Remember, people are good," I lied. "We will be the good."
I'm raising sons in a world where the statement "Grab her by the pussy" is all over the news and being defended by people on my Facebook page.
No, my sweet boy who befriends kids who speak other languages or are differently abled. No, innocent child who would think the national discussion is about holding cats nicely. No, my little man who has been taught not to cheat or lie or step on others to rise up.
We're not okay, and I'm sorry about that, but we're going to be okay. Somehow.
4 comments:
I don't think I could love this post more. Thank you for being brave enough to say what so many are thinking.
My thoughts in your words! Scary, scary, scary!!!!! How did we get here?
The majority of my book club women are older, about the same age as my in laws. I think it's a thing with the older generation, you know the one that was never PC to start with, that think this is ok. They like that they don't have to pussy foot around so to speak. blah!
Sigh. Let's try stopping this... writeitin.org
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