I never intended this account to be political,
though I suppose sharing the stories of war
are inherently political! However, the last 5
days (has it really only been 5 days?!) of the
Trump presidency has been so incredibly
demoralizing that I feel anyone with any kind
of public or private platform has a
responsibility to speak out against the fascist
oligarchy running our country.
On Election Day I was working night shift at
my job as an ambulance dispatcher and
emergency call taker. I watched as the votes
were reported, as the republican numbers
climbed. It was surreal. Is this really
happening again? Was voting rigged or are the
American people really THIS ignorant and
hateful? I sobbed silently. For 2 days
afterwards, I sobbed. It wasn't simply that he
was elected again. It was deep anger and fear
at the American people, at the Democratic
Party for being part of this corruption.
I hoped and hoped that his inauguration
would be stopped. I prayed the authorities
would somehow block him taking control. At
one point I had myself convinced. Then
reality set in and I began to prepare
I am a 43 year old disabled Air Force veteran
and single mother to a disabled 21 year old
who is non-binary, aromantic and asexual
(they/them pronouns) who barely finished
8th grade, still lives at home and is about 50%
independent. My first thought was, ""How do I
We hide. We stay small, fly under the radar.
Protect ourselves by becoming small and
blending in. This is the best way to survive.
Echo and I discussed this for a few days. They
disagreed. We found the main conflict was
that, as a mother, my first thoughts was to
protect them. Their first thought was "Fuck
It took about a week of research, listening to
people's opinions and overcoming my fearful
thoughts to realize that I was coming from a
position of extreme privilege. Echo and I are
white, middle income Americans. We have
the option of hiding but there are millions of
people out there who don't. Trans people who
don't pass for their gender, people of color
(I've heard this phrase is problematic,
opinions please?), people with accents,
married same sex couples...the list goes on
I was disappointed in myself for not
immediately realizing that I was planning to
abandon these people. These humans who
would be targeted simply for existing
Now that I recognize my innate responsibility
to those vulnerable to the hatred in the hearts
of the ruling government and those who
voted them into office, I know how to move
We will be loud. We will be true to ourselves.
We will become giants who cannot be
ignored. We will interrupt problematic speech
and actions, visually represent the dissension
with stickers, signs, patches and buttons on
our clothing. Wherever we are, it will be
known we are a safe space for the vulnerable
and a challenge to the oppressors.
have seen posts from people who are
endorsing the same original thoughts I had
Hide. Become small. Blend. To those people, I
beg you, don't shrink yourself! Become too
big for them to handle! Don't allow them to
erase your personality, your values, and your
convictions. Show up for those who don't
have the same ability to hide. Use your
privilege to protect them
