Last week was filled with much anxiety, hope, fear, uncertainty and frustration and I ended up staying off social media and not watching the news for much of it. We weren't entirely unaware of what was going on but opted to just check once or twice a day because we knew the election results wouldn't come in right away. I spent a lot of time riding our exercise bike as a stress coping mechanism and prioritizing sleep. By the time Saturday rolled around, we felt like it was time to turn on the news and found out in real time when MSNBC called it and declared Joe Biden our next President and we have our first female Vice President Kamala Harris and she is a POC. So many emotions followed and we ran out onto our terrace to the sound of cheers and cars honking as they were going by. A little later, there was even dancing in the streets. And these types of celebrations broke out across the city, the nation and other countries as well.
We spent the weekend happily texting and talking to friends and while we allowed ourselves a little moment of reverie, the fact is that nothing has changed yet as our new administration won't be inaugurated until January 20 2021 which is still 70 days away. This isn’t over. The country is deeply divided and there is still so much hate and racism as evidenced by the over 70 million who voted for the current administration. While I feel some sense of relief and hope, I can’t say that I feel any safer than I did before the election. The orange terror hasn't conceded and he and his fascist regime can still potentially do a lot more damage to undermine the structure of our government not to mention he’s trying to steal an election. Oh and we're still in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic that is getting worse by the day.
I'm trying to focus on what I can do and this means spreading the word about the two Senate seats in Georgia headed to a runoff in January. A Democratic sweep is extremely important to attain a Democratic majority in the Senate otherwise that toad Mitch McConnell (who has enabled trump’s hateful rhetoric as well as all his graft and corruption) will once again be in control and stonewall any legislation the Biden administration tries to put through just like he did with the Obama administration. If we are to see any progress towards meaningful change, it is imperative this happens. Only then will democracy and decency really win.
Reverend Raphael Warnock is currently the senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. He is running on a platform to advocate for struggling Georgia families by focusing on issues like quality, affordable health care and better pay for working people. His opponent is Kelly Loeffler who profited off the pandemic while spreading lies about it's existence. She has also been endorsed by QAnon.
Jon Ossoff is a former journalist and national security aide for a Georgia congressman, responsible for handling defense, foreign affairs, intelligence, and economic policy. He is running against David Perdue who also profited off insider trading on the pandemic while denying it's existence and he willfully mocked and made fun of the name of Vice President Elect Kamala Harris.
If you live in the state of Georgia and will be 18 by January 5th, you are eligible to vote in this Senate runoff election.
You must register by December 7, 2020: https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov
To request an absentee ballot: http://ballotrequest.sos.ga.gov
We made donations in support of both candidates which you can also do if you can/wish to.
Reverend Raphael Warnock: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/senatecirclegas
Jon Ossof: https://electjon.com
If you prefer, you can also donate to Stacey Abram's Fair Fight which was formed to fight voter suppression as well as encourage voter participation in the US. The PAC is splitting donations three ways to fund its own efforts as well as both of these campaigns. The impact of this organization can be felt in Biden/Harris currently leading the vote in Georgia with the possibility of flipping the state blue.
I have to admit I was never really all that politically active before these elections, but seeing the disturbing deterioration of our society, the rise of hate, racial inquality, and the lack of regard for human life in these last four years filled me with a sense of overwhelming despair at times. My priorities have been shifting and I knew I wanted to contribute towards making a change. And honestly taking action has given me a sense of empowerment whether it was speaking up, donating money or phone banking for the Biden/Harris campaign. The way I see it, the betterment of all of lives are on the line here. Help spread the word about Georgia! The work is not done!
Photo: Esquire Korea
12 comments
Great action❤
Rolala, God Bless you and your actions. Thank you
Rowena I love that you are using your platform to bring awareness to take action. The past week has been stressful. I'm so glad a new president has been elected.
Hear hear, chingu!! McConnell and Perdue, along with the other Trump minions, are truly evil personified that I truly hope karma works its way around these s**ts soon. Just when you think the whole Trump couldn't sink any lower....praying for all the Americans and counting down to the day when the US gets rid of these vermin.
I hope USA will again become a safe country to live in for all of its residents. It is sad to see so many divisions and hatred. I know these times are stressful. I try not to watch the news too often because there is too much craziness in the news and sometimes so many opposing narratives, it is hard to figure out what is going on. Let's hope things get resolved as soon as possible and that this pandemic ends.
It's been an insane election! I was glued to CNN for the days until Biden was announced the next president. I'm so glad Trump is going to be out, it's just a shame he is making it difficult!
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
It is so understandable how you felt after you saw the results! And you are so brave - despite all the challenges there are now. With people like you the world is already a much better place <3
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
This 2020 is a very stressful year... I can't wait for the Coronavirus end!
Great actions, Rowena!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
My Instagram
Your anxiety is understandable. I guess everyone felt like it was taking forever for the election results. I'm really glad to see you pitching for your community.
xoxo
Lovely
www.mynameislovely.com
So many are in a position of what is going to happen next. Do we have a president that is willing to go far in getting result of Covid-19 and other issues going on in our country. Is normal to have anxiety and fear the bottom line we do not feel confident and trusty as we all were before.
You called him the orange terror...........I am deceased. I was in school in the US when Trump was elected and decided to take my second semester as a study abroad. I partly look this decision because the was growing tension on campus and I honestly did want to witness the full ramification when he was elected. I mean, even some on my professors were acting so strange and I was getting such bad vibes.
The rise of hate is such a real thing. People feel empowered to spew nonsense because the 45th president of the United States. I wish you and your family well and will always pray for you.
Have a great week!
xxx
Indeed this was a nail biter to be sure. It was really crazy and can we talk about the mail? I have not got my cc bill since September this is the second month in a row that I did not get it and that has never happened before. But we we dodged a bullet sort of. I will not feel good until like you said the orange terror is totally GONE. Though there are rumors he is going to start his own network and run again in 2024. And yes the country is still DEEPLY divided.
Allie of
www.allienyc.com
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