Post Election Reflection

This post-election period has me feeling a blend of emotions—anger, frustration, but above all, hurt. After several drafts, wrestling with the urge to let my language roam free (lol), I’ve found a place of clarity. Sometimes, a bitter wake-up call is necessary, and this election was one of those moments. It’s not a time to step back, but a time to lean in, regroup, and ask some hard questions about who’s genuinely in our corner and what it truly means to hold each other accountable.

Friends, Allies, and Opposition: Knowing the Difference

One of the first lessons I share with any new colleague is this: know the difference between friends, allies, and opposition. Friends and family—those people are the ones who will stand in front of the bus for you, unwavering. They’re like the mother who never misses a court date for her son, or the colleague who risks their own job to call out unfair treatment. Allies, though? They’re with you as long as interests align. Allies align with your journey only when the going doesn’t clash with their own path. This election revealed a lot about who’s who, and the truth is, it hurt but I’m not terribly surprised. 

I’m deeply disappointed, yes, but I’m also embracing this hurt because it’s the kind of pain that brings clarity. November 5th laid out some brutal truths, and not everyone will be able to see them, let alone accept them. But for those of us who do, we already know the reality. And right now, this isn’t the time to sit in grief; it’s the time to gather strength, dig deep, and prepare ourselves for some of the hardest years we may ever face. This election was a reminder to ask: Who’s actually got our backs?

Active and Reflective Accountability

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. This election’s outcome isn’t just a case of one party dropping the ball or failing to get its message across. The Democrats have some deep issues to address, especially around everyday concerns that hit home for a wider audience. While they talked up certain issues that hit with specific groups, they missed the mark on the big stuff that affects people daily—like financial security. And I’m not naive. Most know it wasn’t just about messaging or policy or facts. There’s more to it, and if you know, you know. But the Democrats didn’t play the messaging game well. They let it slip.

Let’s also keep it real: plenty of folks sat this one out, others went third party, and some thought they’d “send a message” instead of securing our shared future. That’s a mistake we can’t afford to make again.

Moving forward, I’m serious about accountability—for myself and everyone else. Every quarter, leading up to the midterms and beyond, we’re going to take stock. For those who thought that going back to the old administration would fix everything economically, I’m asking you to check your own markers: What’s happening to grocery prices? Are gas prices stable? Is your paycheck growing, and are your benefits improving? Accountability isn’t just lip service; it’s something we live. So every three months, starting March 2025, let’s look at these numbers together. And if it turns out everything’s golden in a year, I’ll be the first to eat my words.

Time to Face Reality

For those who believe in building a better, more just society, let’s understand this: allies are conditional, but true support stands with you even in the darkest hours. Now is the time to secure connections with people who are in it for the long haul. If someone is telling you that voting doesn’t matter, don’t hold back—let them know just how wrong they are – Cuss their assess out if need be. Skipping the vote isn’t a neutral act (what, like what??); it’s actively removing yourself from any influence on your future. Not voting doesn’t make anyone care more about you; it just means you’ve erased yourself from the picture and equation. WandaVision – Poof.

Side note but my spirit wants me to say this so I am going to say it – The Black community, in particular, has work to do in guiding our youth. We can’t keep leaving our young people without direction or telling them be what you want to be. We need to focus on specific career pathways that bring real, lasting success: becoming content and communication specialists, lawmakers, lawyers, law enforcement, educators, military personnel, tradespeople, and business owners. These are the foundations on which we can build a legacy. And to those considering careers in entertainment, don’t fall for the easy money if it pushes a message that harms. It’s time to start creating a future we can be proud of.

Moving Forward with Purpose

The road ahead won’t be easy, but clarity brings purpose, and purpose brings resilience. So, here are the questions we need to ask ourselves moving forward:

• How do we hold each other accountable through these challenging years?
• What steps can we take to bring our communities together, even with our differences, to build something stronger?

This election might have knocked you down, but GET UP!!! Let’s see if we truly learn this time because, honestly, it seems like we’ve been here before in 2016, yet we didn’t quite get the lesson. 

It’s time we do.