Loss of hope after election is not an option

By Nadia Paschal

It’s been two weeks since the presidential election, and emotions are still high. Tension, fear, disappointment, anger and sadness are rampant across the nation but the dust is slowly beginning to settle. 

The future of our nation seems uncertain and we all are faced with the looming question of what comes next? It’s a simple answer — that is up to us. 

Vice President Kamala Harris gave her official concession speech Nov. 7. It was hard to watch and digest but regardless, Harris’s words comforted me in a strange way. 

“Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn’t mean we won’t win,” Harris said in her speech. 

This quote has rattled around my brain and been my mantra ever since. Despite her loss, Harris’ messages of keeping our hope and continuing to make change resonated deeply for me. 

It is a choice to remain hopeful, albeit a difficult one. I know that the moment I lose that hope and succumb to total despair is when my ability to make a difference is lost forever. It’s when the messages of hate and ignorance take over. 

The United States of America was built on the power of all its people, and when we give up our power, it can fall into the wrong hands. 

Political activism is crucial to this country and our rights, but so is the well-being of each individual. Every day I check the news or social media, I am faced with either concerning news or upsetting remarks that diminish the feelings of those who are frightened. It’s overwhelming and seems impossible to escape. 

If you haven’t already, it’s OK to take a break from being updated. Unsubscribe from your news subscriptions or reminders and log off of social media for a while. If you burn yourself out, you’re never going to want to enter the ring to fight for change again. 

There is strength in numbers and although we may seem outnumbered right now, I believe to hold onto hope is powerful enough on its own.