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There is a reason that so many Americans felt that something was wrong on #BlackTuesday.
A reason for that sense that we had not, or at least could not have, made that decision.
Because,
What happened was UnAmerican.
What happened was impossible.
What happened was wrong.
1/
A reason for that sense that we had not, or at least could not have, made that decision.
Because,
What happened was UnAmerican.
What happened was impossible.
What happened was wrong.
1/
There was nothing in any of the numbers that indicated it would or could happen.
Nothing.
In those last days Clinton's crowds were increasingly larger and more energetic.
The Obama's stood and asked a receptive, grateful America to place their faith in her.
2/
Nothing.
In those last days Clinton's crowds were increasingly larger and more energetic.
The Obama's stood and asked a receptive, grateful America to place their faith in her.
2/
Black folks stood up to the bullying efforts of their own State and Local governments and refused to be turned away. They endured hours when it took whites in neighboring districts minutes.
They stayed in line.
Black women sang,
"And I shall not be moved..."
3/
They stayed in line.
Black women sang,
"And I shall not be moved..."
3/
In my town, in Chicago, we were sure.
So very sure.
A woman passed me as she left her voting station. I was wearing my Clinton gear & working to make sure that everyone voted.
I had just left a disturbing conversation with a man who was, like me, concerned about Russia.
4/
So very sure.
A woman passed me as she left her voting station. I was wearing my Clinton gear & working to make sure that everyone voted.
I had just left a disturbing conversation with a man who was, like me, concerned about Russia.
4/
She saw something on my face.
"Darling don't worry it's going to be a laaaannnddslide..."
Her arms were dancing in the air and she was spinning in circles with a huge smile.
She was so sure that I became sure.
Of course it was going to be a landslide.
5/
"Darling don't worry it's going to be a laaaannnddslide..."
Her arms were dancing in the air and she was spinning in circles with a huge smile.
She was so sure that I became sure.
Of course it was going to be a landslide.
5/
And the anecdotal evidence was substantial. So few people I know actually supported him. Even amount those I assumed might. There were plenty of them who did, too many, but not enough and certainly not more.
And I know a lot of people.
6/
And I know a lot of people.
6/
She was so far ahead in early voting in places like Florida that some commentators were saying they were ready to call it got Clinton in advance because it was really statistically impossible for Trump to catch up on election day, let alone surpass her, and yet somehow...
7/
7/
"Somehow..."
When it dawned on America was going to happen (whether we voted that way or not... hint: we did not) there was a pervading sense of dread that gave way to an equally powerful sense of mourning.
In places where boys don't cry, grown men wept for their daughters.
8/
When it dawned on America was going to happen (whether we voted that way or not... hint: we did not) there was a pervading sense of dread that gave way to an equally powerful sense of mourning.
In places where boys don't cry, grown men wept for their daughters.
8/
For those of us in one or another of our country's minority populations there was a palpable sense if fear and dread.
Who had done this.
To us...
Who had hated us so badly for our brown skin, or who we loved, or how we prayed?
Who had hated the idea of America so badly?
9/
Who had done this.
To us...
Who had hated us so badly for our brown skin, or who we loved, or how we prayed?
Who had hated the idea of America so badly?
9/
And who cared so little for the children? So little for their future? And especially our daughters...
What would we tell our daughters?
The fear, the anxiety, the dread, and the anger were all there and, in the end, essential and right.
We knew.
10/
What would we tell our daughters?
The fear, the anxiety, the dread, and the anger were all there and, in the end, essential and right.
We knew.
10/
You could almost feel the Earth wretch as @HillaryClinton did what she always does in her darkest moments. Following the old advice of her friend & mentor, the late Maya Angelou, she ROSE.
That she had to concede to that man in a contest she had actually won felt diabolical.
11/
That she had to concede to that man in a contest she had actually won felt diabolical.
11/
And then Americans did something we rarely do, and had not done in quite awhile.
We went to the streets.
The numbers were staggering. The anger undeniable.
Most Americans seemed genuinely shocked and even unwilling to accept that it was real.
12/
We went to the streets.
The numbers were staggering. The anger undeniable.
Most Americans seemed genuinely shocked and even unwilling to accept that it was real.
12/
But as the Klu Klux Klan began to emerge from the shadows and parade openly in the daylight the realness of it burned.
Night after night we went to the streets.
And the world joined us.
Enormous amounts of people globally marched in solidarity and some fear.
13/
Night after night we went to the streets.
And the world joined us.
Enormous amounts of people globally marched in solidarity and some fear.
13/
But this reaction, this open, angry rejection? This too is its own kind of evidence.
When you added it all together it was clear that even if we did not yet know how or who or even why, that we knew it was wrong.
Something was amiss.
Someone.
Somehow.
Somewhere.
14/
When you added it all together it was clear that even if we did not yet know how or who or even why, that we knew it was wrong.
Something was amiss.
Someone.
Somehow.
Somewhere.
14/
When @realDonaldTrump is finally yanked from office for the crimes he has committed against us as individuals and as a nation I hope we march again.
But this time I hope we will march in hope and in forgiveness and gratitude.
We will, it seems, survive this, if only just.
15/
But this time I hope we will march in hope and in forgiveness and gratitude.
We will, it seems, survive this, if only just.
15/
And when we march I hope we realize that we can, at last, forgive ourselves for not having campaigned a little harder, for not phone banking a little more, and we can forgive others too.
Because we will know then that we actually had not done that bad thing.
16/
Because we will know then that we actually had not done that bad thing.
16/
We will know that we actually are better than that.
That some part of those old fictions about America wete actually correct.
May we never lose sight again of what liberty brings.
Nor of what it felt the day we let fascism come to town.
#Resist #FireThemAll
#HeLost #SheWon
That some part of those old fictions about America wete actually correct.
May we never lose sight again of what liberty brings.
Nor of what it felt the day we let fascism come to town.
#Resist #FireThemAll
#HeLost #SheWon
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