In lieu of the election results, some of us at LocoMag want to tell you, dear reader, the most important things to never forget about at a time of division and panic.
I don’t want people to forget about humanity’s resilience. Though we are fragile creatures on a tiny rock hurdling through a cold and vast universe that have not been around all too long, we are one of the most adaptable species this planet has ever seen. We are so much more than an election in one segment of the world. – Kristen
Don’t forget that checks and balances exist so that the president doesn’t have an abundance of power. Don’t forget that this is still a democracy where freedom of speech and freedom to protest is possible. If something bad is happening that is incredibly important to you, you have the ability to fight for whatever you want to fight. Don’t forget that midterm elections will occur in 2018, where you can vote for Congressmen who fit into your own political ideologies. Don’t forget that stereotyping everyone who didn’t vote for your candidate as being horrible, disgusting human beings is a terrible thing to do, and doesn’t in any way support your political beliefs or who you wanted in office. -Eric
Don’t forget to care for yourself. If this is the first time you’ve realized that the world is a little colder than you thought, take the time you need to process it. Read a book. Burn a candle. Hug your friends. Cuddle your cat. But when you’re done, don’t forget to stand up and get out and do good. Start here and here and here and here and here and here and here. (Links thanks to John Oliver and Last Week Tonight.) If you’re white, don’t forget to think about your privilege and bias. Get uncomfortable. Then use it to help people who don’t are marginalized, but don’t steal their voices: give them your microphone. Ask them what they need you to do. Don’t forget that this is scary and wrong; don’t normalize hate. Shout your love louder. Use this as a kick in the pants to ‘do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.’ – Helen
Don’t forget to stay open minded and positive. Allow yourself time to grieve, but do not let yourself be consumed in sadness. Remember that this too shall pass and we can all look forward to creating a better future for each other. Above all else, do not forget to be kind. -Bella
Don’t forget that the sun still rises in the morning. The sun still sets, the waves of the ocean still crash, we are still living and breathing. Hold fast to your beliefs and defend them, but don’t forget the simplicity of life and to appreciate the small, beautiful things that surround you. -Lana
