What I Want To Tell Those Who Will Be Disenfranchised By A Trump Presidency

Hi. It's me again, the girl who cries on the internet.

Yesterday I wrote about my emotions on election day. I said I would cry and I was right.

Today, my fingers hover over my keyboard. I've typed and deleted and typed again, trying in vain to find the right things to say. For the first time in a long time, I am at a loss for words. Stunned into silence. Nothing, NOTHING could have prepared me for yesterday's results.

Donald Trump, a racist, homophobic, sexist, xenophobic bigot, is our president-elect.

Following the results of last night, I saw this tweet from activist Shaun King, and immediately burst into tears:

My heart is aching for our country, especially for the people of the United States who will be negatively affected by a Trump presidency. And believe me, there are a lot of them.

First, I would like to say I am sorry. I am so, so sorry that our country has failed you. It is OK to mourn, it's OK to be angry, it's OK to be scared. Just know, you are never alone in this fight.

To my fellow women:

Take time to love yourselves. You are strong and stoic. You have worth. Like Hillary Clinton said so eloquently in her speech earlier this morning:

To all the little girls watching... never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world.

Women have come so far in our country and we can't stop the fight now. I refuse to stop fighting for my rights. Practice self-love, donate to Planned Parenthood, participate, don't let your voice be drowned out.

To my African American loved ones, neighbors, and friends:

I support you. I will continue to stand up to the injustices you face each and every day. Black Lives Matter. You matter. I leave you with this powerful poem, I, too, by the profound and all-too-relevant Langston Hughes:

Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, “Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America.

You, too, are beautiful. You, too, are America.

To my Muslim-American and LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters, to those with disabilities, to immigrants and to anyone who considers themselves to be a minority:

YOU are what makes America great.

America is a melting pot of cultures, experiences and people from all walks of life. I will not stand idle and watch the racist, homophobic, xenophobic and sexist side of our country rear its ugly head.

Take advantages of the resources offered to you. Talk to your loved ones, hold your children, uplift your peers and know that you are not alone.

To Hillary Clinton:

Thank you. Thank you for standing up for us, thank you for leading with dignity. You fought an honorable and fair battle in a mess of an election season, and you did it with grace. Yours was a campaign to be proud of, and I will never regret voting for you.

Years from now, I will be honored to say I was on the right side of HERstory.

To those who will be negatively affected by a Trump presidency:

Thank you for your continued bravery. It is OK to mourn, it's OK to be angry, it's OK to be scared.

But we will rise up, we will overcome and we will keep fighting -- even if there are tears in our eyes.