High Street at Cruelery.com - The Web's Bitter Afterbirth / I am Not Okay...

BorderCount · 2024-11-06 13:03:16

“When people show you who they are, believe them.” -Maya Angelou

America has shown me who they are, and I believe them.

I am not okay.

I could go on at length on the many failings of Donald Trump, but he’s not worth it. Not anymore. No, it’s time to look at Americans more broadly. At a people who embraced fear and hatred. At a people who elected to entrust power to someone who gave every indication he would misuse it – and, indeed, HAS. At a people who aren’t willing to look beyond their own noses.

The next few years look to be dark times. The US is likely to retreat even further from the world stage, and war looks to spill out. Christian Nationalists will be pulling the levels of power, and marginalized groups will be targeted. Fear, anger, and hate look to drive American policy for the immediate future.

Things are going to get worse, and I am not okay.

As a transgender woman, fear is part of daily life. I never know who might say something rude to me just because they think they get a say on who I am. I am afraid to do something as simple and common as use a public restroom, because even in a relatively liberal state there’s a risk that I’ll be harassed for it – possibly even assaulted. With Americans choosing to give in to fear and hatred, my right to simply exist in peace will be threatened in a way it never has before. And not just me – it will start with the trans community, but a government that has repeatedly shown its hostility will expand it to the whole LGBTQ community.

The future looks bleak, and I am not okay.

I find myself at an inflection point. I can’t control the actions of others – only my own. Americans have shown me who they are, and I believe them. They have shown me that they are willing to be ruled by fear and hate. They have shown me that the suffering of others is an acceptable price for the illusion of security. They have shown me that hate can win the day. They have shown me what cowards they are.

I will show them something else.

I had to leave work early today because the flood of emotions left me in a state vulnerable to doing or saying something I’d regret. Instead of reacting out of fear or anger, I chose to take some time to sort through my feelings and figure out what to do next. It is early enough in my personal transition that I could stop and go back, but that would be giving in to fear and despair. I could choose to lash out with violence, but that would be giving in to anger and hate.

I won’t do that.

I’m not going to live in fear. I’m not going to let hate consume me like it has so many others. Instead of despairing at the world that is, I’m going to embrace hope for the world that should be. Nobody ever won their freedoms without a fight, whether that fight was on a battlefield, or in a courtroom, or just daily life.

Honestly, I’m scared to death by Americans, and I am not okay.

But I will be.

I choose to be.

And that is how I win.

Baywolfe · 2024-11-06 21:22:32

The will of the majority of the voting American people have spoken. But at least our greatest fear has come to pass and we're back to eyes wide open now, anticipating seeing exactly what's coming next. But all those Gen Zs and minorities that voted for Donald, or worse didn't vote for anybody, they have no idea what's about to happen. It's going to be a huge blindside hit to them when there is every possibility that the Palestinians will be completely wiped out and Israel will start on the next bunch.

But let's face it, this country has been a lie since day one anyway. But we would have probably survived if Neo Capitalism hadn't started producing billionaires by the bunches. When you run out of stuff to own, then the only thrill left is owning people. Literally or figuratively.

Even if Harris had been elected, Congress wouldn't let her do shit anyway, so all we'd really have it not having a crazy old degenerate in the Oval Office. If it's all going to burn, let it burn now. I've made my peace with it. I just want to live long enough to see all these people lose everything because Donald is going to pull the ripcord on America.

SpacePuppy · 2024-11-07 00:12:06

BorderCount wrote:
“When people show you who they are, believe them.” -Maya Angelou

America has shown me who they are, and I believe them.

I am not okay.

I could go on at length on the many failings of Donald Trump, but he’s not worth it. Not anymore. No, it’s time to look at Americans more broadly. At a people who embraced fear and hatred. At a people who elected to entrust power to someone who gave every indication he would misuse it – and, indeed, HAS. At a people who aren’t willing to look beyond their own noses.

The next few years look to be dark times. The US is likely to retreat even further from the world stage, and war looks to spill out. Christian Nationalists will be pulling the levels of power, and marginalized groups will be targeted. Fear, anger, and hate look to drive American policy for the immediate future.

Things are going to get worse, and I am not okay.

As a transgender woman, fear is part of daily life. I never know who might say something rude to me just because they think they get a say on who I am. I am afraid to do something as simple and common as use a public restroom, because even in a relatively liberal state there’s a risk that I’ll be harassed for it – possibly even assaulted. With Americans choosing to give in to fear and hatred, my right to simply exist in peace will be threatened in a way it never has before. And not just me – it will start with the trans community, but a government that has repeatedly shown its hostility will expand it to the whole LGBTQ community.

The future looks bleak, and I am not okay.

I find myself at an inflection point. I can’t control the actions of others – only my own. Americans have shown me who they are, and I believe them. They have shown me that they are willing to be ruled by fear and hate. They have shown me that the suffering of others is an acceptable price for the illusion of security. They have shown me that hate can win the day. They have shown me what cowards they are.

I will show them something else.

I had to leave work early today because the flood of emotions left me in a state vulnerable to doing or saying something I’d regret. Instead of reacting out of fear or anger, I chose to take some time to sort through my feelings and figure out what to do next. It is early enough in my personal transition that I could stop and go back, but that would be giving in to fear and despair. I could choose to lash out with violence, but that would be giving in to anger and hate.

I won’t do that.

I’m not going to live in fear. I’m not going to let hate consume me like it has so many others. Instead of despairing at the world that is, I’m going to embrace hope for the world that should be. Nobody ever won their freedoms without a fight, whether that fight was on a battlefield, or in a courtroom, or just daily life.

Honestly, I’m scared to death by Americans, and I am not okay.

But I will be.

I choose to be.

And that is how I win.

Beautifully Written.

BorderCount · 2024-11-07 03:17:34

Thank you!

Fled · 2024-11-07 06:59:14

I share your sentiments, BorderCount. Thanks for posting. The pendulum has swung to an extreme end, and now we must figure how to push it in the other direction.

SpacePuppy · 2024-11-07 11:38:25

Remember folks... Family, Friends, Community. That should be our focus, and to keep them all safe and healthy. This will pass, but we may have a rough ride ahead of us.