Anna Rae Gwarjanski Portfolio |
As I write this, I am sitting in the newsroom. It’s almost midnight, and we’re waiting to get the results of this presidential election. I can’t remember ever being so nervous.
At the moment, it looks like our next leader will be Trump. This scares me and disheartens me, because I want better for our country. Regardless of whether you’re a Democrat or Republican, I think we all want someone who will focus on uniting us rather than dividing us. I’m not saying that’s Hillary – I may have voted for her, but I don’t really have a dog in this fight. I’m very, very sad, and I’m very, very tired. I’m tired of being called a “baby killer” because I don’t have the arrogance to believe I know what is best for every woman’s body. I’m tired of having to argue why my gay friends should have the same rights as me. I’m tired of being called lazy because I don’t think it’s right for people to have an athletic scholarship and an academic scholarship to college and still have to work two jobs to graduate without debt. I’m tired of being called a bad Christian because I believe in a firm separation of church and state. I’m also tired of elections bringing out the worst in people. I’m tired of all this hate, on both sides of aisle. I’m tired of worrying. Whatever the final results, I did my part. I campaigned for a man I believed in, and when he didn’t get a spot on the ticket, I voted for the candidate he endorsed. Through my job, I tried to give objective and accurate information about the importance of both local and national elections. Now, I’m trying to be done with the worry. I have been a frazzled mess all day, but I’m trying to breathe – what’s done is done, and I choose to believe that some good will come of this. I choose to believe that grace will bat last. I hope, no matter who wins, that we will be able to overcome this hate and general awfulness (I’m speaking to myself too; I’ve cursed certain people – both in my head and aloud – multiple times during this election cycle). To be honest, I don’t know how we will, exactly. Thinking about the future makes me, and most people I know, scared and angry. So, right now, I’m just choosing to think about the immediate future. I’m going to go home, cuddle up with my dogs and a glass – let's be honest, probably a bottle – of wine, and think about how happy I am to see my boyfriend this week. I’m going to meditate and pray for unity. As my wise friend Molly King said, “This campaign is over. Regardless of who is elected, life continues tomorrow. Please remember all of these blanketed comments filling my newsfeed regarding your opposing candidate and party directly relates to your family, friends, co-workers, etc... Can you face them tomorrow after what you have posted tonight?” There will be a lot of hurt tomorrow. I will do my best to heal, instead.
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About the AuthorConfessions of a failed southern lady. I've got messy hair and a thirsty heart. Writer, photographer, career wanderer. Archives
May 2023
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