This is my first post on Blue Mass Group. I’ve been following for years as a reader. But today decided the umbrella needed to be wider. We need more women and minorities posting here. So here you go. From a Muslim-American, child of immigrants, attorney, non-profit worker, public policy wonk woman.
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It’s a bright new day. That’s my attitude starting today. I needed a day to cry and be angry. Folks voted for Trump, a man who “regularly incites political violence and is a serial liar, rampant xenophobe, racist, misogynist and birther who has repeatedly pledged to ban all Muslims — 1.6 billion members of an entire religion — from entering the U.S.” My love for my Muslim friend, my immigrants friends and children of immigrant friends and my refugee friends and friends of color and disabled friends and my friends who suffered sexual assaults and were victims of sexual violence and my LGBTQ friends and my politician friends and non-profit coworkers and friends and policy wonk friends and friends with daughters and sisters and mothers and lastly, people who just care and love and believe and hope. We all needed a day to cry.
Some joke about moving to Canada. Despite my admiration for Justin Trudeau and love for my Canadian cousins, that’s not going to happen. I’m an American. I live and work and play in America. This is my country and my home.
So now we move on. Now we organize. Now we make sure that civil rights and human rights and progress remain bright and absolute for all Americans.
So volunteer. Call places who are going to need more help. Regularly donate your time or money or expertise to groups who help the less fortunate, the needy the ones who need us and the ones who my religion makes it a pillar to help. More folks are going to need help – help without being asked.
So run, ladies run. We will spend time dissecting the numbers – but I believe it was SEXISM. Americans weren’t ready to see a woman in the highest office. Just like Massachusetts hasn’t elected a woman Governor. Monday night, the night before the election, I went to my local town meeting. There were 3 women out of 13 individuals representing my town. That’s gotta change. Our towns don’t look like that. I’ve recommitted to running for Selectman in April (campaign donation requests coming shortly). And I’m going to continue to support my friends and female candidates throughout the state and country. We are still fighting for shattering that glass ceiling. The way it’s going to shatter is hundreds and thousands of us women will change what local politics looks like in America. When women are talking about issues that only they can talk about and having a seat at the table. Then glass will shatter.
I’m a graduate of the Emerge Massachusetts class of 2016. The program is amazing and instrumental to helping more democratic women get into politics. For women out there, think about applying to next year’s class. For others, attend an event or donate. http://www.emergema.org/
It’s a whole new day. As a personal shero said, “the sky’s the limit when there’s no ceiling”. So today I’m not seeing any ceiling. I will only believe and see hope and optimism and love.
I hope you’re right.