I know many of you, my readers, my family, my colleagues and my caring friends are hurting. Take your time. Mourn, ache, protest, do whatever it is you need to do.
Then when you get through this, I encourage you to remember the last eight years. Remember the voices that called Obama, a man I never voted for, a monster, a beast, the antichrist, whatever else. Then forgive them. Break the pattern.
Not for one moment do you need to respect or condone the actions of anyone who threatens the health and safety of our Muslim, Gay or Female friends or partners. Not for a moment, not for a breath, not for any reason. Nor should you emulate their past actions.
If we descend into the same cycle of hate and villain-raising, we will create through resistance the very era we wish to end. It is because I believe in your capacity for love, empathy and the deep care you’ve shown each other, that with humility and a focus on the suffering in our nation, that we can help each other.