Holy sh*t, John, it’s Election Day.
If you haven’t already voted or made a plan to vote today, find your voting location here.
John, I don’t know where you are in the country – whether you’re at school or work, refreshing social media to get the latest news, or tuning out the news entirely, or you’re out knocking on doors right now. No matter where, if you’re like me, I’m sure you can feel the heaviness that comes with every Election Day.
Right now, there’s a searing pit in my stomach. I have to tell my face and my shoulders to relax. I have to remember to breathe.
Today, we find out what the direction of this country might be for the next two years. Will the people around us decide that we must push forward for clean air and water, safety in our schools, and the right to an abortion? Or will right wing extremists prevail?
I think what feels hard to me is not just that the outcome of this election could be a fascist takeover (although that’s so freaking terrifying), but also the way that these days can make us question our neighbors and the faith we hold in what this country could be.
But if I could have you take something away from this email, it’s that you’re not alone. There are so many of us that feel this tension between despair, fight, and wanting to just close your eyes and forget it all. And if all of us come together, we can steer the direction of this country. That starts with voting and getting out the vote.
I’m not saying that voting is going to fix the direction of this country. If I’m being honest, it probably won’t. But it’s a really important way we can show the leaders in this country that we are still fighting – and we care about having a government that protects the right to abortion, that will deliver on environmental justice and a Green New Deal, that will cancel the student loans that are burdening so many of us.
So today we might not be on the streets in protest, but our form of protest can come from the way we fill in our ballot.
No matter what happens today, I am so proud of the work we have been able to do despite a year that was hard as hell. And I feel hopeful because I am seeing young people like me and you still choosing to stand up and be in this fight. Thank you.
In solidarity,
Michele, Sunrise