Election Expressions

I'll Stand up For You...

I wrote the piece below on election day, November 8, 2016. It was from my strong and determined woman-being, right after casting my vote against the likes of Donald Trump, and all that he stood for, but more importantly I voted for all that I stood for. The next morning, you would find me crumpled up in the corner on my sofa, in a giant ball of disbelief and despare. Here we are again. I am in utter disbelief. With all of his cards right there on the table for everyone to hear and see. It’s mind-blowing. From a (pardon my language) “pussy-grabber,” to a libelous rapist. Responsible for rolling back women’s reproductive rights, 50 years.

This time… I have no room or time for despare. The stakes are too high. I’m not sure what to do, BUT I will be finding my place in this fight against the impending tyranny.

11/8/2016

Election Expressions: I'll Stand up For You...

...even if you can't, won't, or don't stand up for yourself.

I voted. I voted for progress/change, against xenophobia, racism, sexism, bigotry and all other related negative traits. And perhaps not change, like many would like the government to change, but long overdue historical change. What I write next, even though I think myself an open book, I am aprehensive about it, yet I need to speak it.

I am first a woman. And it has been disappointing to watch other women, in particular, defend a man who is so open about his negative and despicable position on women, his treatment of women. I am a woman, who during my 59 years has had the life experience of sexual harrassment in the workplace, domestic violence, and rape. I'm a triple winner. I am the 1-out-of-every-3 women in domestic violence statistics and the 1-out-of-every-5 women in rape statistics. The Trump card is a stomach turner. Imagine that... I don't say these things because I view myself a victim of my circumstances, because that is not my position, I have thrived in spite of them. I share them because I need everyone to stand up against these things too. And that means not voting for that man.

Secondly, I am a compassionate human being. I am half brown — a latina, the granddaughter of poor immigrants. I am the mother of a gay son. I stood for equality long before it became real personal. And I will always stand for that. I stand for choice, which historically women have been and continue to have their choices questioned and taken away — or at least threatened. My list is long, my cause is pure, and I will not stand for a giant step backwards in time. I will stand up for you... even if you can't see your way through.