Before I get to the topic at hand, I need to make a little disclaimer
First, please, remain calm. It's tough, so just relax and take some down time for yourself. Make sure you're eating right, getting fluids, resting, and do something nice that helps distract you and soothes your mental wellbeing (and I don't mean abusing substances) And please, for the love of all that's good....Please, don't hurt yourself or attempt suicide. Things are looking dire and ugly, but there's no reason to do that. Believe me, I know. If you have these thoughts, please don't hesitate to call the 988 Lifeline, The Trevor Project, the Trans lifeline, or talk to a counselor or even someone you trust. It will get better. Maybe not anytime soon, but it will get better. I promise you all that. Make sure you check on your loved ones and friends, and comfort each other. We have a community and tens of millions of Americans in the same boat.
Second, I never get political because it's always controversial and usually leads to a screaming match, but I want to take this time to talk about what happened. This'll be the ONLY time I'll discuss politics, since I want my space to be all inclusive without drama. I'll just briefly let you all know about what's going on, my views and thoughts, with a hint of ranting, and some final words from all this. I'll start from the depressing stuff to more hopeful news. Now then....
Obviously, it's not looking good here in America. Despite hype for Harris and Trump facing controversy and clearly expressing fascist views, the people have spoken and want Trump back in office. The Republicans have control of the Senate and maybe even the House of Representatives. This means that he and his administration will have full control of government, if they get the majority in the House, and that will be bad news for minorities. The LGBTQA+ community (me), women's reproductive rights, racial justice, marriage equality, and the list goes on. This will all be part of this Project 2025, which will basically set us back by about 100 years, that was conceived by hardcore conservatives that were mostly appointed by Trump. We here call them MAGA members, and they have VERY extreme views. That's why a lot of us are scared and pretty down. Even more so with the surprising victory Trump had. And since people still voted for him, knowing full well of his views, his outbursts for redemption against his political rivals, seeking loyalty to him over the United States Constitution, working with white nationalists who believes this country to be a Christian Nation, and even push conspiracy theories of election fraud and Democrats controlling the weather to gain political ground. Honestly, I'm ashamed to be an American, and I feel I should apologize on behalf of my fellow Americans to everyone from different countries having to witness this. It's embarrassing, to say the least. I'm even having a hard time wondering what to do around Trump voters, regardless of their views. It's going to take a long time for me to forgive them. If I'm able too
With all that said, it's not entirely the voters' fault. The American political atmosphere is so polarized that we can't agree on one single issue, and this is mostly due to news media. Most mainstream news outlets are either taking the middle ground between two parties and their policies, and some others are mainly using their platform as propaganda to push extreme Republican views and lies (a big example is the #1 news channel Fox News). As a result, disinformation floods around and Republicans get most of the credit while Democrats get left behind, despite all the good they try to do, which leads them to keep losing and inheriting a bad economy every single time in MY lifetime (there's actual data of this btw). Now, I'm not saying all Republicans are bad, but we're in a generation where it just so happens that the Republican party has the most shady characters, and they take advantage of the media to give themselves an edge on winning elections. Politicians usually lie, but it's abundantly worse with Republicans intentionally telling lies and spreading misinformation. And conservative news media often praise Republicans whether they've done good or bad, including criminal allegations that can come back to roast any politician from past and recent misdeeds, like allegations of sex trafficking. Again, I'm not saying all Republican officials and voters are bad, we had issues of the media warping facts for a very long time. It's an issue the progressive independent media outlets on Youtube and the such are trying to remedy. To report the truth we deserve to know, and hopefully this will result in fairer elections not based on biased views and confusion.
Some more uplifting news, if you want to call it that, most state ballets voted for allowing abortion, even though two states voted for banning abortion. 3/4s of Americans support LGBTGA+ , and that statistic is improving year by year. These factors are what gives me hope, minus conservative small towns, and believe that we'll be better one day. Hopefully, one day, this country will be able to stay informed with truths, be more accepting of each other, and make everyone feel safe. There's a lot of work to be done, but perhaps this is the start. This may be my believing the impossible, but it could happen. You never know.
We missed a chance to keep a dictator out of the White House, the fascists have most control of the government, possibly the house of representatives too, all seems bleak, and we can't predict what will happen. But that doesn't mean we have to accept whatever comes out way. A battle is never truly lost until we give up completely. We survived a revolution, a civil war, two World Wars, the Great Depression, riots and violent protests, and the Trump presidency on top of a global pandemic. So we'll live through this too. What I'm trying to say is, we can't give up. We need to keep fighting and make our voices heard. I have my dreams, and I won't rest until they come true. The same should be said to you. I'll keep drawing what I want, saying what I want, feeling what I feel, loving what I love, and dreaming what I dream. No one can take that away. If they try doing that or threaten me, then bring it on. I won't be afraid of them and stay quiet.
For now, let's take the time to process all this. Take care of yourself, make sure you're eating and drinking right, make sure you're well rested, make your mental wellness your top priority, get out in the sun while you can before winter, smoke pot or have some drinks to relax (but do so responsible), and above all, never ever lose hope. There is always hope. And my circle is always open for anyone, no matter who or what you are. And I don't care if you're a green Martian with a cone head from Pluto who sings extraterrestrial gibberish, I'll be here and welcome you with open arms.
As for me, I'll relax and detox from all this. And then I'll get back to my passion, and keep moving. One step, one day at a time. Maybe one day I'll forgive those who voted for Trump, but for now, I hope they learn what they've done and see why we wanted him gone in the first place.
There is always hope
I think I'll leave off with this iconic scene that says it much better than I ever will
