Stunned

So, that just happened.

I am awake at 2:30 AM, unable to sleep any longer, no longer recognizing the country I live in.

I thought I lived in a country where we were moving away from racism, oppression, and religious persecution. Apparently, I was wrong.

I thought my nation was going to continue to work towards getting a handle on climate change. Nope, not of interest to the majority of my fellow constituents.

I thought that the Trump-ian dream of Making America White Again appealed to only a few scattered malcontents. Guess I was mistaken about that too.

Almost half of my fellow Americans have just voted into power a man who stands, by his own admissions, for nationalism, religious persecution, mistreatment of women, oppression of the free press, and for locking up his political opponents.

I am, quite frankly, terrified this morning. I understand our political processes. I agree that an election was held, not a revolt or a coup. Accordingly, I am forced to recognize the fact that a majority of Americans desired these qualities in their next President.

I went to bed last night hoping fervently that this was all a bad dream. I awoke this morning realizing that, to the majority of those who voted, I am the enemy. I am Latino. I am disabled, and therefore a "burden on the taxpayers." I am a person who has benefited from Obamacare. I firmly believe in the rights of gay couples to marry who they want, of members of other religions to practice their beliefs freely, of women to control their own bodies. And, according to last night's polls, I am what is despised and rejected by the majority of voters.

Today, at 46 years old, I no longer recognize my place in the country I grew up in.

Saddened and Frightened,

- Jeremy