The past two days have been hard. Hard in a way that has caught me off guard. I've always been excited about politics and civics. I cried when the first black man was elected and inaugurated. I believed deeply in this country and the hope of a more unified America. This year, when Hilary accepted the democratic nomination, I got choked up watching the first woman accept a nomination for president, knowing that this moment has been years in the making. The blood, sweat and tears of so many are finally being realized.
I voted proudly for Hilary Clinton, feeling confident that the glass ceiling would finally be shattered this year.
I wanted it to be Hilary for every little girl out there who ever said they wanted to be president when they grew up. I wanted it to be Hilary because she believe in equal pay for equal work.
I wanted it to be Hilary for every single mom working two part time jobs to support the babies she didn't abort. I wanted it to be Hilary because she cares about education, and achievement gaps and giving every kid their best chance. I wanted it to be Hilary because she knows that so many of our issues can begin to find resolve in investing in the education of our young people.
I wanted it to be Hilary for my gay friends who have just been given the rights that straight people have had since the beginning of time. I wanted it to be Hilary because she couldn't give a shit what bathroom a Trans person uses. I wanted it be Hilary for the closeted hight school students who are trying to find the courage to be who they are.
I wanted it to be Hilary for every black, muslim and latino person who questioned whether or not they belonged in this country. I wanted it to be Hilary because as I look into the faces of the exchange students/adopted kids/immigrant kids in my class, I want them to know that we not only WANT them here, but NEED them here.
I wanted it to be Hilary because I wanted America to say "locker room talk" is unacceptable. I wanted it to be Hilary because sexual assault and the objectification of women has got to stop.
I wanted it to be Hilary because this country was founded on equality and religious freedom and to mandate laws based on a Christian set of values completely violates the separation of church and state.
You need to know that I love Jesus unashamedly and with passion, but also recognize that not everyone shares my beliefs in this country. My job is not to convert them. My job is simply to see them, to know them and to love them well. That shows people more about the Gospel than any law ever could.
I love Jesus which is why I wanted it to be Hilary because racism, exclusion, and force do not look like Jesus.
But it wasn't Hilary, and I cried watching her concession speech. She's spoke with so much grace and poise and truly conceded like a winner. The ceiling may not be shattered, but it certainly has a few more cracks in it, thanks to HRC.
I would like to thank our President Elect for making me understand to a new extent how important my job as a teacher is. How fiercely I need to love every single kid in my class. I need to tell them every day that they are important and they matter. I need to show them the Jesus that loves the widow and the orphan and the refugee. I think we all know that there is no law that will change the hearts and minds of people, but community, connection and love will.
In order to look like Jesus you have to go to the places, talk to the people and do the things that Jesus did. You cannot do that when you're talking about building walls, deporting people and using language that causes fear.
My job is simple, and yet important. To do good. To spread love. To promote tolerance.
It wasn't Hilary, and I'm disappointed. My dad, who has always been conservative, called to tell me that he voted for Hilary and that he was sorry, and disappointed with outcome, too. My dad wanted it to be Hilary, too. He mostly wanted it for me, because he is a good and decent white man who sees other people. I am thankful that I was raised by that type of man.
I believe deeply that people are good, and that if we lead by example, this country will be okay. So i'm looking forward to the day when there will be a woman president, and women have equal pay and minorities are welcomed and celebrated. I'm going to continue to do what i can, with what I have, right where I am.
I'm praying that you do the same.
