News

Don't Say #NotMyPresident

by Margaret Judson

I believe that the country suffered a devastating loss last night. A man who bragged about grabbing women's genitals without their consent, berated a reporter with disabilities, insulted Gold Star families who have made the unthinkable, ultimate sacrifice for our country, and made countless misogynistic, racist, xenophobic comments was just elected president of the United States. And although all of that is true and scary, the point is, he was just elected president of the United States. So, don't say #NotMyPresident — when they go low... don't go low, too.

That hashtag was trending on different social media platforms early on Wednesday, even garnering star power from people like Olivia Wilde on Instagram.

Listen, I get it. When the final results came in and Trump locked down 270 electoral votes, I sent a lot of texts to friends, brainstorming where we could run away to: France? Bora Bora? The North Poll? A tin-foil-lined bunker? Anywhere. I, like a lot of other men and women I know, find myself intermittently crying when I remember the nightmare of Election Night 2016 and the potential nightmare of a Trump presidency. I am completely heartbroken about, what I believe is, the backwards progress that's just happened for women, the LGBTQ community, Muslims, immigrants, and all minorities, and I feel afraid when I think about the dangerous policies Trump could institute. Therefore, I get why it's tempting to want to reject Trump as president.

And for that reason, thank God for leaders like Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, to set the right example and remind us to continue to fight for the things we've been fighting for. The whole motto you were behind, if you were a Clinton supporter, was "better together." So, when you don't get your way, it'd be nothing short of hypocritical to break apart.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Think about it: Clinton, who has been knocked down countless times and has miraculously gotten back up and moved forward, is at it again. In her concession speech on Wednesday, she made a battle cry for unity and acceptance:

I know how disappointed you feel because I feel it too, and so do tens of millions of Americans who invested their hopes and dreams in this effort. This is painful and it will be for a long time, but I want you to remember this. Our campaign was never about one person or even one election, it was about the country we love and about building an America that's hopeful, inclusive and big-hearted.

You can watch the full speech here:

Even setting an example and including in a tweet, in a display of overwhelming humanity and compassion:

If she can do it, so can you.

President Obama, speaking from the White House on Wednesday after the loss, reiterated:

I've said before, I think of this job as being a relay runner. You take the baton, you run your best race and hopefully by the time you hand it off, you're a little further ahead, you've made a little progress. And I can say that we've done that and I want to make sure that handoff is well executed because ultimately we're all on the same team.

Warren, in a statement to the Boston Globe admitted:

It's no secret that I didn't want to see Donald Trump win yesterday. ... the integrity of our democracy is more important than any individual election, and those of use who supported Hilary Clinton will respect this result.

This doesn't mean give up and accept the horrifying elements of this former reality star's character. But it does call for refocusing on the ultimate goal — and that is prioritizing the country and all of the people in it.

It's easy to be angry and write #NotMyPresident and run away. But now, more than ever, it is not the time.