IT IS TIME!

It Is Time!

It is time to clarify, explain, initiate, and motivate.  This election cycle has brought about hate, fear, violence, volatility, racism, discrimination, uncertainty, and disrespect.  This is not different than most elections, except this one has brought about an inferred permission to degrade and belittle.  Name calling, protests, marches, and violence have been evident on all sides of this monumental event.  From celebratory gloating and fear filled protests to political divides and angry marches this has become an insane reality we are now living in.  I have stayed out of much conversation on social media in the days since the election, other than my post displaying the hate that was directed at my family.  Today, after reading rants from both sides, overhearing conversations at breakfast, and seeing uncertainty from all corners I have decided to write.  It is time for my friends, family, colleagues, and fellow Americans to stop and think for a moment and prepare to move forward into the new day.

First, I wish to CLARIFY a few things.  Yes, I am angered at the outcome of this election.  Yes, I am fearful of what this new day brings.  However, I have hope that those who truly care about the "bigger picture" will ride up and lead us out of the uncertainty and the challenges that lie ahead.  Have I "unfriended" people from social media during this election cycle?  Most definitely, I have.  These were not due to the election outcome or the person being supported.  No, I have deleted acquaintances, "friends", and even family not for their stance on the election, but for the shear ignorance in their manner of approach and presentation of their support and/or celebration.  I have also deleted some from the same side as myself for the similar ways in which they have chosen to "protest".

Next, let me, in simplest terms, EXPLAIN my feelings of anger and fear.  It has taken me a few days to understand these feelings myself.  At first I felt anger toward those who voted against my opinions and beliefs and feared that the outcome of a Trump presidency would destroy a life I have worked hard to build and maintain as a gay man.  Today, I understand my anger comes from reading and listening to ignorance.  Those who spout and spew hate in the light of this election because that is what is truly in their hearts.  My anger is based in my lack of ability to tolerate and accept this type of rhetoric from anyone.  Hate based through ignorance is a dangerous form of hate.  This type of hate leads to unrest and destruction.  That is where my anger comes from.  I am angry at the ignorance on all sides who use their ignorance as a vehicle of discrimination and destruction.  Once I realized the root of my anger, I began to understand my fear more easily.  I'm not afraid that the government is going to take away my rights to live my life.  I'm not afraid that gay marriage will suffer a set back, although it may for a brief period.  No, my fear isn't in those who have been elected.  My fear comes from the same source as my anger.  I fear the ignorance that is running rampant in the days since the votes, most of them, have been tabulated and a "winner" declared.  I fear that those who practice hate, discrimination, and racism will use this election and a means of approval for their actions.  I fear that the recent note in our home mailbox (which has been reported to the FBI and is under investigation) is only the beginning of an intensified hate toward the LGBT community and other "non-white" minorities.  As an educator, I fear the uneasy feelings of the children in my classroom, because they are frightened by the discrimination and violence in the media.  Yes, these are the fears I have.  So when you post your elitist dominant white "questions" on social media asking what we fear.  Think about what you fear losing most and how people may ignorantly blame you for being out of the societal "norm".  Think about any fears you may have if you were a minority member of society in our nation.

Click to view note in mailbox.

I have decided that the anger and fear that have begun to surge need to act to INITIATE change.  We all need to be the change we expect, without inciting violence and resorting to destruction.  We need to come together and support with pride and optimism whatever lies ahead.  We must take our anger and fear and redirect them into the positives we desire to see from out nation.  We must stop accusing our friends, family, and neighbors of voting one way or another to bring us down.  We must recognize the differences in opinion and fight together against ignorance and intolerance to build one another up instead of tearing one another down.  It is ignorance that all sides need to defeat.  We need to educate and arm one another with knowledge and compassion instead of directing anger and hate toward our fellow Americans.

It is time to MOTIVATE ourselves as individuals in order to begin to motivate the masses toward a peaceful and compassionate coexistence in our nation.  We ,just rise up from the ashes of anger and overcome the burdens of fear to initiate a change and motivate our brothers and sisters to rid our land of ignorance and show compassion and understanding through knowledge and peaceful end education.  We must redirect our angers, hostilities, fears, and intolerance into a peaceful and understanding means of what it truly is to be American.  We must love one another and respect our differences in order to embrace our similarities and reach a common ground.  We should all turn our fears and anger into change and hope for the future.

LOVES, Phil