Moving Ahead

from wikipedia

Like about half of Americans, I saw my candidate for President defeated in the election. So right now I am trying to imagine life in this new America as I read story after story from friends who have been cursed, attacked or otherwise targeted by those who supported the winner. It is a scary time for many, and I can only hope that we can move ahead with as little damage as possible. 

I am reminded of the words on the base of the Statue of Liberty:

Give me your tired, your poor, 
your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, 
the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. 
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, 
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

These words no longer ring true. Most of us can trace our heritage to these very people the statue welcomed--the poor, the ones longing for religious freedom, the ones fleeing from war and oppression. I wonder how well we are living up to the dream they had for our country.

But, the election is over and we have to move forward. Those of us unsatisfied with the result have to take up the gauntlet and work harder next time to assure our values and morals are upheld. Those who won now have the charge of taking on the great split in this nation and all of its many problems, 

For now, I will try to continue to live as usual, taking pleasure in the small things, telling stories that build community, teach our history, and provide food for thought. I will continue to garden and preserve our food, sing old ballads, write poetry and stories, do kind acts whenever I can and hold on to what is still good about living in America. And I will be one of those now motivated to become more politically active. 

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.