Conviction

I am a proud Nicaragua woman raised to love and respect my country, the United States of America. Today is a sad day for me, as I can no longer feign ignorance and think that "We the People" applies to EVERYONE in the minds of everyone. Last night, that ideal was hijacked by a megalomaniac attention seeking sociopath and his blind sheep of followers.

As a result, “our” new government will seek to roll back the progress made, real progress that affected everyone. We will suffer setbacks to the economy (have you read his tax plan?), environmental protections (if you think global warming is not real, then this is your guy, planet and humanity be damned!), healthcare, and social justice for minorities, women and the oppressed.

I grew up thinking that the US was a nation of acceptance, hope, strength, unity and equality for everyone. Today’s results are opposite what the forefathers fought for.

As a nation, our actions have proven that not everyone cares about “We The People” as a whole. How else could you explain voting for a man who insulted Mexicans, women, blacks, refuges, American and foreign leaders (except Putin), fought with a Gold Star family, alienated his party’s leadership, could not say BLACK LIVES MATTER but proudly said BLUE LIVES MATTER (is the color the only issue)? The list of deplorable things he said goes on and on, proving that decency and sanity lost in last night’s election.

I thank and appreciate all who that have taken up the fight for all people, not just those who look like them. However, 2016 will go down as a year we (own it, even if you did not vote Trump) failed our children, our future. I failed because as a minority, I should have been actively working towards equality for all and gotten more politically informed AND involved.

But, I realize that it is not too late! I am determined to be an example for my daughters. Through the eyes of a parent, I now see how my dad left an example for us as well. My dad took many chances and was passionate about what he did. I will forever remember what he did for those in need. He helped minorities, he stood up for those that could not do so for themselves and let people know that their voice does matter. I am forever indebted to him, even though I did not have the privilege to be part of his life at the end.

I want to go one step further: I will work with my girls and align myself with a sphere of influence that believes in equality for all. I will reject those that do not have the same beleifs and values and stand my ground with and for the new generation.

We need to fix this - and it starts by owning it. We're in it TOGETHER!

I promise to do my part. In 2017, I will work towards unity and ending the division that currently exists between "We the People" in my community. I will continue to teach my kids to be leaders, not blind followers, and teach them that sometimes, that means facing adversity, opposition, crudeness and sometimes even evil.

In the future, we need to vote for something, not against someone. Vote decency, vote equality, vote, vote with "We The People" in mind.

Perdone mi espanol, pero esto es importante pare mi: Unidos estamos a favor del estado de igualdad! También la clase minoritaria que se le olvidado sus comienzos, necesitamos despertar y realizar que debemos a deshacerse una nación de racismo.

Recuerdo la primera vez que fui expuesta a: “Si Se Puede” por un grupo progresivo. Gracias, "New City Public School, Long Beach, CA, USA."

P.S. - I'd like to share something that helped me cope, or at the least, be better mentally prepared for this. Please read this book! It is funny, enlightening, and most importantly, much needed in our times:

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life