Don't Call Me Sweetie

I haven’t posted anything political so far (other than #MikeRoweForPresident) because I believe people should educate themselves on candidates rather than jump on board with Facebook friends. Also I believe anything I post would have been agreed with or ignored 100% because everyone has allowed themselves to become so polarized in their thinking. So I kept quiet and watched lots of friends and acquaintances post opinions, facts, lies, and most disappointingly, hate. I get it, it’s an emotionally charged subject. I didn’t unfriend or unfollow anyone because it really is a hard time and everyone is entitled to their opinion.

So my true disappointment didn’t come until this morning because I did not stay up to watch the election results. I woke up, and checked my phone. Trump won. I was surprised…and then I got on Facebook. I can not believe the amount of hate, disrespect, and gloating I ran into.

Just when I thought all the madness would wind down, it escalated. So many posts from Trump supporters STILL bashing Hillary supporters. Also, lots of Hillary supporters insulting Trump supporters. What is the point of this? What’s done is done. I’m more disappointed in the Trump supporters. If you can’t win with dignity, then you haven’t really won. Being a sore loser is bad, but being a sore winner is much worse. I’ve seen several posts with something like “now if we can just get all the damn liberals out of the country it’ll all be great..” Is that really what’s needed right now? Why has our default become hate, blame, and anger? Why are we so unwilling to accept that our country will always have different opinions? Different opinions aren’t supposed to be bad things, they’re supposed to make you think, to challenge what you know, to keep out complacency, and to keep people accountable. 

Theres a line in an Arron Watson song that says “Keep your nose down when you win
Keep your head up when you lose…
And you’re gonna lose” this is pretty great advice. If you’re a Hillary supporter, you didn’t win. It’s frustrating, but lashing out at Trump supporters doesn’t make you better than them. Learn to lose with grace. God is still in charge. We have a system of checks and balances for a reason. Nothing is as bad as you’re making it seem. (I hope) If you voted, and you lost, whining about it won’t change a thing. Time to focus on the future instead of wallowing in self pity and anger.

If you’re a Trump supporter, you need to stop gloating. You won. What’s the point in grinding that point into the ground. And how is it possible that you’re twisting a victory into another way to perpetuate hate? The second you win anything should be the second you congratulate the other side on their effort. You should feel pride in your victories, but never by trying to make your opponent feel ashamed in their loss. 

This went on way longer than intended, it started as a Facebook status, but let me wrap up by saying there’s still an election going on and it’s more important than the presidential race. It’s a choice between kindness and hate. Please vote for kindness.