Like many Americans, I’m having some feelings this week. Lots of flashbacks to the last election.
Four years ago, I was pregnant with my daughter and I was excited. I was so sure my daughter would be born into a world where she’d be able to take a female American president for granted. To me, it seemed like a no-brainer: our country’s most qualified candidate in history was running against our country’s most unqualified, outwardly racist and misogynistic candidate. It should have been a slam dunk.
I believed the polls. I had faith that an overwhelming majority of Americans would not choose fear and ignorance and hate. Needless to say, the outcome was shocking and traumatic. The experience was definitely a loss of innocence.
That election day I attended a goodbye party for another mom-friend of mine. This was a sad occasion for my whole family since her husband was friends with my husband and they were basically the first friends we made after moving to Oregon. This party was also the last time I planned to leave the house for a while, as my goal was to potty train my 2 year old son as best I could before the new baby came.
We had election coverage on in the background while we ate dinner. We had to turn it off while my husband put my son to bed, and I remember sitting in my room on my phone, scrolling. My first indication that something was wrong was when Florida went to He Who Must Not Be Named. After that, we watched with growing fear and went to bed in shock and disbelief.
I woke up the next day in a daze and proceeded with the potty training plan. It was horrible, stressful. I spent a good portion of the day in tears, not knowing what exactly I was crying about. All of the day was spent elbow deep in piss and shit, one way or another.
I remember thinking that my daughter would be ALMOST FOUR before we’d have the chance to vote him out. Four years is a hell of a long time to do a lot of damage. And so much damage has indeed been done.
As I write this, it feels akin to how one might tell a story of where they were and what they were doing when the twin towers fell or when Kennedy was shot. It was a dark day; one I’ll never forget. Looking back, it spun me (us) into a crazy-ass couple of years. My daughter was born. My post-partum anxiety took off like a brush fire. I went back to therapy. I spent a good few years just trying to get ahold of myself and figure out who I was and how to leave the house with pants on. All this with a background of news reports on hate, ignorance, fear, anger, violence. Rolling back progress and denying human rights.
Fall of 2019, I finally started feeling better, consistently better. I, like many others, declared that 2020 was going to be my year. And it was…until the pandemic. And now the election.
So you can see (I hope) how I am holding my breath. I’m white knuckling this. I’m so angry and scared. I want to believe the polls. I want to have faith in people to do the right thing. But frankly, this country is not what I thought it was, and we’ve all been here before, on this abusive rollercoaster from which we can’t seem to get off. I’m honestly not sure how I’ll get through the next few days…or weeks…or longer, depending.
To those in power who are using that power for personal gain and to manipulate and spread fear: we see right through you. You might be fooling some, but you sure as hell aren’t fooling me.
Abusive people use anything at their disposal to have power and control over others. If they can’t control others, their power is gone. Abusive people try to stop others from voting. Abusive people try to sue for votes to not be counted. Abusive people lie and manipulate the system. Abusive people threaten violence. Abusive people intimidate (in this case, by bringing guns to the polls, or by blocking traffic, etc.). Abusive people gaslight others and deny any wrongdoing. All of these behaviors are coming from a place of insecurity, NOT love, NOT protection, because if these people knew they could be fairly reelected in a just, democratic system, then there would be no need for such devious theatrics.
Abuse is not strength. Make no mistake, we are in an abusive relationship and that is an incredibly powerless feeling.
I voted as soon as I possibly could. I even made sure my ballot was received. And now, I wait. Full of dread, fear…and some cautious hope.
Day 2
Psychobabble 
I am right there with you. If I had to describe the 2016 election in retrospect I feel assaulted. We’ve been abused and gaslit for 4 years now, but it all started with the initial beating that was the 2016 election. I love how you say he who shall not be named. I try really hard to never say his name. As a woman, someone like him being able to win the highest office in the land was like being hit upside the head with the ugly stick of who America really is. I have yet to fully recover. Like you, beginning 2020 I was doing much better. Work was going well, we had many travel plans and there was hope that today would validate the America I believe in. Then bam, the pandemic hit. I think we’re going to win this. Many who didn’t realize how much they mattered have shown up to the polls, and many have seen the error of their ways. People who insisted on third party candidates in an outright rebellion know now what is really at stake. I fell the road to recovery is long. As you said much damage has been done, but there is hope. Hang in there. :)
You too!
Hang in there!
I might just boycott all coverage. Maybe. If it’s possible. 😬
I am with Steven, though, I might start drinking tonight. 🤭😝
I’m the kinda person that I can’t NOT watch coverage. So alcohol it is.
Me too, actually. But it sure would be nice if I can do it!
Tequila!
I also voted the very first day of early voting in my state. One of the poll workers said, kind of joking, “Dang, y’all didn’t all have to come today!” while I was in line. But I did, because I am scared too.
Oh yes, we do.
“spent elbow deep in piss and shit, one way or another.” — A very apt description of the last four years under 45. I share your white-knuckle dread and your rage. I wish we could fast forward over tomorrow- I’m not going to be able to concentrate on anything, all day long.
Agreed.
…so what time is everyone beginning their election day alcohol regimen? Asking for a friend.
Already started, tbh.
Oh snap!