Thank you social media, for this teaching opportunity for my sons, of every single thing to NOT do if and when an election does not go their way. I'm appalled by so many actions, from burning of our beloved flag, family disowning family because of election results, friends no longer friends. We are now an entire generation of individuals that can't accept real life when we're putting therapy dogs in classrooms and professors are allowing students to skip taking exams if you're traumatized by the election results. I don't claim either political party as mine; I actually pull from both sides very strong opinions, and well as opinions of my own, and I didn't base my vote Tuesday on misinformation shared in a meme. I've told my kids for weeks to always fact check everything they are being fed on social media.
I know I'd never react to any election by posting on social media our POTUS-elect should be assassinated, or by telling my friends to "eff off" because we aren't carbon copies of one another. I've told my sons, when you can vote, no matter how it turns out, you stand behind that President or we as a country are weaker. You don't have to agree with every policy or all decisions, and opinions are encouraged, but disrespect toward the POTUS is not how we make our country strong.
To be fair, I've also told them I have no idea how things would be today if this election had gone the other way, that there may have been exactly this same reaction, just from the other side. We can only speculate now. I've made it clear they rise above that, and respect the process, respect the outcome and don't spread the kind of hate seen across our country at this moment.
We are weak because we make it so, period. There's a fine line between exercising your right to protest and showing the world just how divided we are, but consider this - half of our country has felt the way the other half feels now for 8 years. We've never been more divided, and I've watched disrespect for the current administration that is equally appalling, though I can't say I've seen them burn the American flag. Nothing will change until we do. WE are the problem just as much as the politicians that aren't working for us. What I saw on Tuesday, and disagree if you want, is the election system and nearly half of this country revolting against the status quo. I also went to bed assuming I'd wake up knowing it would be 4 more years of the same as the last 8, and I'd respect that, educate myself and wait until the next election to work toward change. THAT is how this works. Get involved at the appropriate times to force the changes you want, EDUCATE YOURSELF beyond the memes on social media please, be a part of the process and then you respect that process.
I'm embarrassed, on the eve of Veteran's Day, on the 241st birthday of our beloved Marine Corps, to see a country so ripped apart by pure hated, to protests that are not peaceful, to trending topics like #NotMyPresident that I can do little more than educate my kids to always be better than this, no matter who they vote for in their near future or the outcome. RESPECT THE PROCESS and work toward change if you see a need for it, but hating half of the nation, from either side, and disrespecting fellow Americans is NOT something I'd ever tolerate, ever.
I know I'd never react to any election by posting on social media our POTUS-elect should be assassinated, or by telling my friends to "eff off" because we aren't carbon copies of one another. I've told my sons, when you can vote, no matter how it turns out, you stand behind that President or we as a country are weaker. You don't have to agree with every policy or all decisions, and opinions are encouraged, but disrespect toward the POTUS is not how we make our country strong.
To be fair, I've also told them I have no idea how things would be today if this election had gone the other way, that there may have been exactly this same reaction, just from the other side. We can only speculate now. I've made it clear they rise above that, and respect the process, respect the outcome and don't spread the kind of hate seen across our country at this moment.
We are weak because we make it so, period. There's a fine line between exercising your right to protest and showing the world just how divided we are, but consider this - half of our country has felt the way the other half feels now for 8 years. We've never been more divided, and I've watched disrespect for the current administration that is equally appalling, though I can't say I've seen them burn the American flag. Nothing will change until we do. WE are the problem just as much as the politicians that aren't working for us. What I saw on Tuesday, and disagree if you want, is the election system and nearly half of this country revolting against the status quo. I also went to bed assuming I'd wake up knowing it would be 4 more years of the same as the last 8, and I'd respect that, educate myself and wait until the next election to work toward change. THAT is how this works. Get involved at the appropriate times to force the changes you want, EDUCATE YOURSELF beyond the memes on social media please, be a part of the process and then you respect that process.
I'm embarrassed, on the eve of Veteran's Day, on the 241st birthday of our beloved Marine Corps, to see a country so ripped apart by pure hated, to protests that are not peaceful, to trending topics like #NotMyPresident that I can do little more than educate my kids to always be better than this, no matter who they vote for in their near future or the outcome. RESPECT THE PROCESS and work toward change if you see a need for it, but hating half of the nation, from either side, and disrespecting fellow Americans is NOT something I'd ever tolerate, ever.
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