I worry.
I worry the country will be a worse place when my girls grow up.
I worry our nation will blind itself to its faults.
I worry that anger and violence will increase.
I recognize that surrounding every atrocity has been a society of good people quietly saying, “That will never happen here. We’re better than that. Let’s just keep our heads down and get through this.”
How does one find a balance between wariness, activism, fear, and over-reaction?
I don’t know.
Are people in the U.S. currently over-reacting to President-elect Trump’s language, decisions, and actions? I hope so. For it to be an over-reaction means things aren’t really as bad as they might seem.
Four years ago I wrote about the dangers of nationalism. That post is more relevant now that it was then. Please go read it.
I am greatly concerned that President-elect Trump regularly, publicly attacks, demeans, and insults any opposition to his actions or opinions. No one likes being the subject of public ridicule and I am concerned people will keep their mouths shut to avoid this treatment rather than oppose him.
I am concerned that dissent will be suppressed.
I am concerned that President-elect Trump seems to be gathering a body of “loyalists” to surround him in Washington rather than competent and qualified individuals (even if I disagree with their views).
I am concerned that many people no longer feel safe going about their day.
I am concerned that an elected State Representative was harassed and berated for her religion and ethnicity during a cab ride in the nation’s capital.
I am concerned that the next few years may be marked by conflict escalation between Trump supporters and opponents.
I am concerned that the next 20 years in the United States may subject us to some type of nationalistic violence within our borders.
I hope these concerns are unfounded.
I hope for peaceful dissent and respectful disagreement.
I hope for a nation that can recognize it has faults even if we disagree on how to fix them.
I hope the country is a better place for my girls when they grow up.
I hope.