Since the election, I know that at least some Donald Trump supporters have resented being called “racist,” “bigoted,” “misogynist,” “bullies,” “homophobic,” etc., saying that they did not support those parts of Trump’s platform. For those of you who fall into that category, I have a request: Please join us in taking action.

By “us,” I mean those who believe that all people should be treated fairly and justly, that everyone should be able to receive the medical treatment they need, that none of us should have to walk the streets fearing harassment or worse for no reason other than being who we are, that we should do what we can so our children have a planet left to inherit.

If you believe any of those things, whoever you voted for, now is the time to come together to take action. We need everyone’s help to prevent hate crimes, to bring back civil and polite discourse, to stand up for the rights of our family, friends, neighbors and colleagues who are likely to be marginalized, criminalized or otherwise hurt by Trump’s actions.

I know some people might be afraid that we won’t have enough, that if we welcome and support others – people we don’t know and who aren’t like us – that we will lose something, that family or friends or others we care about will go wanting.

But as this time of year reminds us, we live in a country of great abundance, with enough for all of us, friend and stranger alike. So please, help make sure that we all have a seat at this table and that we all have a safe place to live.

Erica L. Bartlett

Portland

Copy the Story Link