I saw this quote from Fleming Rutledge, and I’ve been thinking about it this week post-election. I’m mostly annoyed by people who are explaining the events of last week by banging the drum of their particular worldview. But what they’re doing, whether they know it or not, is laying the groundwork for how we understand political sphere going forward.
Preachers, professors and pundits all sort of get this instinctively. It’s striking though to see it happening in realtime.
I guess the best course for most of us right now is to recognize what’s happening as it’s happening.
I for one am incredibly sad over the results of the election. I’ve come away with a few different thoughts. My world view hasn’t changed but my country-view absolutely has.
– I liken myself to the co-dependent spouse of the addict that is America. I have been trying to rationalize its actions and present its best face to the world. “You just don’t really know them.” “They aren’t that bad.” I need to stop. I need to acknowledge that America is racist and misogynistic. I have to see America for the America it is – not what I want it to be. If we don’t acknowledge that, how can fix it?
– My federal government will not work for me or for my daughters. We have to focus on our local government where we have a stronger say. I have to build my immediate community and support my neighbors.
The worst thing I keep coming back to is that I didn’t realize America hated women so much. This country hates women.
I feel defeated and so sad. For the battles my mother fought and the battles my daughters will have to fight. And that for the first time I wonder if the fight is worthwhile.
I would love to hear other perspectives. I love to feel to feel hope for this country again.