Last night, history was made in the United States of America -- Americans passed the power into the hands of President-Elect Donald Trump, the first man to take office with no political/government background. A majority of Americans throughout the nation are experiencing a surge of emotions -- some joyful, and some fearful.
This is a message to those filled with horror:
LOVE TRUMPS HATE.
I know you're scared, worried, and probably even embarrassed; you have every right to be. Everything the Obama administration has accomplished in the past 8 years is at risk -- legalization of same-sex marriage, our duty of global leadership in climate change, dropping the rate of those medically uninsured to under 10% for the first time in the history of the nation -- we could lose this all. Most importantly, all of our progress in terms of unity and equality in humanity is at stake.
Around me, I see people with a thick veil of frustration and sadness over their eyes. We are angry, we are disheartened. But we must remember that we cannot let these temporary emotions taint our souls. LOVE TRUMPS HATE. We have a duty to show this in our ACTIONS, to supporters and non-supporters of our President-Elect Trump.
So to everyone that is cutting off ties with their friends and family who support Trump, don't. We will not have peace this way; we can not have peace this way. First, we must let LOVE TRUMP HATE. This is our duty. We must come together in unity, not only with each other, but with the rest of the nation.
"Love is greater than peace, for peace is founded upon love. Love is the objective point of peace, and peace is an outcome of love. Until love is attained, peace cannot be; but there is a so-called peace without love." -'Abdu'l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace
This nation has fought for the rights of women and POC for decades. I agree, it has never been enough. In Between the World and Me, a text by Ta-Nehisi Coates, we see that the American Dream is one only offered to those with privilege, white people. I have tears in my eyes as I think to myself, "How could I have ever truly believed that America was a country founded on life, liberty, and justice?" It saddens me, it disgusts me. And the saddest part is that this injustice applies not only to POC, but women, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, Muslims, disabled people, and marginalized communities throughout the nation.
But we must let LOVE TRUMP HATE.
"If others hurl their darts against you, offer them milk and honey in return; if they poison your lives, sweeten their souls; if they injure you, teach them how to be comforted; if they inflict a wound upon you, be a balm to their sores; if they sting you, hold to their lips a refreshing cup." - 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Love will prevail. Peace will prevail. Equality will prevail. Unity in Diversity will prevail.
LOVE OVERPOWERS HATE.