NJM 11 in NoJoMo 2016

“If you’re a Trump voter who is tired of being called a bigot, if you say you voted for him based on gun rights or economic issues, or because you think Hillary really was that awful, and in spite of his rhetoric, rather than because of it, I believe you. If you’re in my life, I clearly don’t think you’re a vile hateful person. But if you’re now watching protests across the country and you don’t understand why, or think they are just being sore losers, let me break something down for you. These people aren’t just angry or sad that someone they didn’t support won the election, they’re scared.
They’re black Americans who hear talk of law and order and remember a racially charged stop and frisk program, or see an emboldened KKK holding a celebratory parade.
They’re Muslim Americans who worry that spitting in their face is now okay and violations of their rights to assemble and their rights to privacy are about to come.
They’re LGBT Americans who fear not just of the loss of marriage rights or restaurants gaining the right not to serve them, but of an administration that thinks it’s more important to research electrocuting the gay out of them than AIDS.
They’re Hispanic and Latino Americans who are scared their children will be bullied in schools, and their families ripped apart while their culture is mocked.
They’re women who are wondering if we’ve normalized groping, and if their career endeavors will be judged by their face and body, and not their minds
I believe you when you say you didn’t vote for any of these things. Most of America wasn’t thrilled with the choices we had in this election. But If you didn’t know that this is why they’re protesting, if you think it’s really just about free tuition or more government giveaways, then you, like the elite liberals you love to castigate, have also not been listening. If you’re tired of being called a bigot, then you need to use the same voice you used on Tuesday and speak out against these things fully and clearly. It’s not enough that you didn’t say them yourself. You need to reassure your friends and family members who feel like they no longer have a seat at the table that you still stand with them, even if your priorities were different on Tuesday. If you aren’t willing to do that, then you have no right to call for unity.” - Michael Rex

Last updated November 11, 2016