10 Nov 2024
I’ve been thinking a lot since we spoke this morning. You’re right: I shouldn’t have acted holier than thou. Sorry about that. Here’s what I was trying to convey:
I’m sure it’s obvious, but a bunch of people (myself included) are really hurt that Trump got elected again. To me, he represents the worst parts of society and it stings that the people I care about endorsed him. You really mean to tell me that a bully, a felon, a cheater, an abuser, and a racist got elected… again?! And that’s not to mention all of the ways the people that I love might be affected by his party’s policies—things like women’s reproductive rights, funding for education, affordable health care, climate change, etc.
I understand it’s nuanced and that I don’t have the whole picture. I realize that we have different opinions of him due to differences in our information diets. And I acknowledge that people on the other side of the aisle have very real and valid concerns.
But it stinks nonetheless. You taught me to be a good person. To do the right thing, even when it’s hard. To have empathy for others. To want to enrich the lives of the people that I love. To stand up for people who don’t have a voice. To debate with substance, not name-calling. To celebrate diversity and teamwork. To listen, to think critically. To be curious about different ideas and perspectives. To believe that other people are inherently good, even when I disagree with them.
When I look at Trump, I see none of those qualities. And to know that the people I love voted for him feels a bit like finding out Santa isn’t real. It’s heartbreaking, in a way.
Of course, our relationship is bigger than politics. But the wound is still raw and it’s going to take a long time to heal.