The Election

Early Wednesday morning, Trump was elected the next President of the United States. In an already deeply divided country, this election seized the publics' consciousness and resulted in nationwide protests and violence.

The immediate impact.
Kev worked Tuesday and Wednesday night. Grave shift is already an adjustment for us, but I knew it was going to be a long couple of nights this week. After news of the election results and the anti-Trump protests erupting, Kev was sent to Oakland as backup. For the first time in his career he put on his riot gear. Sadly, I'm confident it won't be the last time. He told me about his experience the next day and said he debated telling me. I'm glad he told me, but it did make it hard to fall asleep Wednesday night knowing that he could be called back out there.

The frustration.
Honestly, I'm exhausted by the divisiveness of our Nation. It is not Hillary or Trump dividing us, it's ourselves. We were already divided prior to the election results. I'm tired of every decision, event and action being blamed on racism and bias. It is clear that the majority of today's violence simply stems from anti-establishment rhetoric that drives the anger of the disillusioned masses. It seems increasingly obvious that fighting each other and shouting in the streets, burning down your own cities is not the answer.

Action.
The election is already days behind us. Instead of worrying about what Trump is going to do for you, worry about the change that you have the power to execute within your own circle and the change you can create in your community.  If you want change, you need to be the positive change you want to see in your world. Take responsibility. Our future as a Nation depends on each of us being dedicated to the well being of our country as a whole and not just our faction of economic or ethnic identity. Open your arms to your neighbors and those with conflicting identities to your own. Open your hearts and your minds, because disorder, blame, and  chaos will never commandeer the world you wish to live in. Create unity and equality will follow, because hate is the only line drawn in the sand.

And to the LEOs out there and your families, thank you. Thank you for standing guard and protecting our communities in a time when you can sometimes be the ultimate target. When the world around us is up in arms, you're always there. And to the ones at home a little restless while they are gone at night, it's good to know we're never alone.

I will always be proud to be an American.

- Mimi