One Week

One week. That's all it took. Donald Trump took one week to denigrate the Presidency and diminish the United States' standing in the world. He has, in one week done all the following: question the validity of the November election; impose restrictions on scientists and researchers in government employ to speak not only with the public, but also with Congress; issue Executive Order after Executive Order without consulting with even the members of his Cabinet whose departments would be impacted; place the burden of building "The Wall" on the backs of American taxpayers; impose, through an unconstitutional and inhumane Executive Order, a de facto religious and ideological test for immigrants, and with the same Executive Order, penalize refugees whose only crime is fleeing horrors none of us could imagine; remove the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Director of National Intelligence from the National Security Council and replace them with Steve Bannon, his Senior Advisor and architect of almost all of the most odious aspects of Trump's agenda; purposefully omit any reference to Jews when issuing a statement on International Memorial Holocaust Day. All of this. In one week.

I have been feeling incredibly anxious ever since the election. I have tried to will myself out of this anxiety, and tell myself and others that it's all going to be okay. On some level, I still believe that. In the long run, we will be okay. That doesn't mean I'm not still anxious, though. I am. I worry about my friends and family. I worry about my community. I worry about my country. I worry about the world. I fear the consequences of the Trump Administration if left unchecked. The anxiety and worry are still there, but they are not the only feelings. They are increasingly joined by anger. It would be very easy to stay immobilized by anxiety and worry, and not act. It would be just as easy to give in to the heat of anger, and act rashly. 

But there's another feeling that is present, and growing: resolve. I will try to focus on  this resolve, and act in such ways as my conscience dictates, and my situation allows. Here are some things I have already done, or am planning to do, in accordance with this:

• Contact my Congressional representatives.
• Support organizations, such as the ACLU, which fight for our freedoms.
• Donate to charities that provide aid to refugees.
• Engage with those with whom I disagree.
• Avoid engaging in name-calling or ad hominem attacks.
• Put as much love and kindness out into the world as I can.

These are small things, I know, but I think they are important. I firmly believe we can make things better, for all of us, even through the smallest of acts. I hope you'll join me. We are stronger together.