Where do we go from here?

I was born in 1963, two years prior to the 1965?Voting Rights Act.?

I was a one year old when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, eliminating “whites only” signs, water fountains, and even sections in churches.?

As a child, I was a wide-eyed witness to assassinations, violent KKK activity, horrendous and widespread state-sanctioned brutality on Black people during peaceful demonstrations, and more.?

As a child, I stood helpless, in horror, as my mother was subjected to repeated domestic violence, only to have her pleas for help by the legal system ignored because her husband, my father, told them “there’s nothing to see here.” According to the state, her body wasn’t hers to defend.

As a child, teen, and young adult, I witnessed the intentional destruction of Black communities nationwide, by freeways, federal and local drug and gun policies, redlining, and more.?

There is nothing that can happen during the next 2-4 years that I haven’t experienced already. ?

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) says “The?Lord?himself goes before you and will be with you;?he will never leave you nor forsake you.?Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

and…

2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) says “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

Friends, I encourage you today. This is not the end of democracy. It is, however, a major test of the values we say we hold, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — as well as freedom and justice for all. How we respond to yesterday’s vote may determine what this nation will become for decades to come.

Martin Luther King Jr. said "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

I encourage you to use light to drive out darkness. I encourage you to use love to drive out hate — from our homes, from our communities, and from our nation.?

Let me be perfectly clear. This is not a kumbaya moment? as in “blissful agreement,” but it is a kumbaya moment in terms of an entreaty to God to “come by here” and help oppressed people (“someone's crying, my Lord”).

Hate and division were at the forefront of this election. More money was spent on dividing the people of this nation than in any other election in the history of the world. Billions of dollars were spent on ads and tactics that were misleading, hateful, and divisive. And it wasn’t just our money at play. Russia, China, and other nations played a role. As a result, Donald Trump got elected based on the votes of one group of people — older, less educated, white men and women. I am not saying that white men and women are bad people. I’m merely stating a statistical fact. That’s what the exit polls show (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/exit-polls ). I’d say “you can’t argue with facts,” but in today’s climate, I’m sure some people will.?

This election came down to fear — fear of a certain group of people, who know their numbers are dwindling, losing the privileges that they have enjoyed for a long, long time at the expense of other people. Donald Trump has used fear as his greatest weapon for decades and his strategy has worked to get him elected twice to the most powerful position in the world even though he is a convicted felon who should be in prison and/or ineligible for the office of President.?

So, where do we go from here?

First of all, love your neighbor. Galatians 5:14 (NIV) states “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself.” That’s the entire bible summed up in one sentence. No one can ever tell me that love is weak and powerless. If it were, the entire world would have burned up from nuclear war a long time ago. Trust me on that. Having served in the military at a nuclear missile base during a high stakes time, I know the importance of the ability of love to drive out hate and light to drive out darkness. Someone has to be strong enough to deescalate and negotiate peace. That holds true in military efforts and it holds true in communities. Be strong enough to love your neighbor, even if your neighbor is evil towards you. I’m not saying let them harm you, I’m saying don’t fight hate with hate. All that does is lead to destruction. Protect yourselves, and lead with love. You can do that by living out the L.O.V.E. Is The Answer pledge, which is four easy to remember action steps with every interaction: I pledge to LEARN about the people in my community, to unconditionally OPEN my heart to their needs as if they were all immediate family members, to VOLUNTEER to be part of the solution in their lives during both good and challenging times, and to EMPOWER everyone I meet to do the same as if our lives depended on each other. These will be challenging times, and our lives truly do depend on each other. ?

Second, protect the Constitution. The democracy in the United States is far from perfect, but it is worth fighting for. At this moment, everyone who holds the Constitution near and dear to their heart must become the guardrails of democracy. We must work from the ground up, to ensure that the courts uphold and defend the Constitution. It will be attacked again and again, and we must defend it.?

Finally, start organizing now for the mid-term elections in two years. There is not a day to waste. We must play chess, not checkers. Lift up those leaders who put humanitarian values first and foremost — those who lead with love. And work fervently to ensure that their message reaches the masses. People grow weary of vitriol, they never grow weary of love. Humanitarianism may not be a major political party, but it can sway both Democrats and Republicans to lead with love, which is where the majority of Americans want to be even if they don’t know how to get there. Love is the sweet spot — that’s where we can all work together, regardless of party, to ensure that the American Dream doesn’t die.?

Let’s get to work loving our neighbors, defending the constitution, and supporting leaders who lead with love. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."