I Am Trying To Understand A Trump America

I am trying to reconcile today’s events.

I am trying to understand the perspective of millions of people who cast their votes for Donald Trump.

I am trying to contemplate how a group of white Americans began to see themselves as a disenfranchised group.

I am trying to come to terms with how a racist, bigoted, misogynistic, proven liar, who never articulated a single plan or policy for the future of America has become our president.

I am trying to fathom how people who hate and blame their misfortune on the elites voted for a billionaire.

I am trying to comprehend how the majority of voters who wanted to overthrow the establishment voted overwhelming for the incumbent members of Congress.

I am trying to be patient when people respond, “Hillary was just as bad of a candidate for President.”

I am trying not to cry over the injustice when people respond, “Hillary was a worse candidate for President.”

I am trying not to be crushed by the reality that so many people who disliked Hillary could not articulate a single identifiable or true reason that was not based in political rhetoric.

I am trying to understand how people who believed Hillary is a liar and criminal without any actual concrete evidence of such, voted for someone who is a proven and repeated liar and self-admitted perpetrator of sexual assault.

I am trying to come to grips with the fact that a highly qualified woman who has dedicated her life to public service and official office lost an election to self-indulgent scam artist who made his millions on the backs of Americans.

I am trying to believe in my heart of hearts that Hillary Clinton did not lose this election because she is a woman.

I am trying to find the words to tell my friends who are a part of the LGBTQ community that everything they have worked so hard for will not be lost.

I am trying to think of the right thing to say to all the immigrants seeking refuge in the land of the free to let them know they are still welcome here.

I am trying to come up with words to tell the people of color in this country, who have fought so hard for their rights and to be treated as equals, to let them know that I am with them.

I am trying to send all the compassion in the world to all the women who are victims of sexual assault, who have been degraded because of their physical appearance, and who are worried they will lose the rights to their bodies.

I am trying to explain to our children and future generations that this is not us, we are better and will be better.

I am trying not to spend every waking moment of this day in tears for our country and the people who feel like America has taken a step backwards today.

I am trying to find the strength to wake up tomorrow and keep fighting on.

I am trying to accept this man as my President.