It’s hard to believe what happened last night, and many of us—considering that most millennials did not vote for Trump—may feel as though we’re looking into an American funhouse mirror today (or, at the very least, an episode of Black Mirror). It’s hard not to despair when an election is lost, and it’s especially tough today knowing we will be living under leadership which does not reflect the values of most millennials for the next four years. Still, as the quote goes, we must find the ‘serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” The outcome of the election is not one we can make different through negativity, so instead, we’ve compiled a list of seven things about which to be positive today. November 9 does not have to be all doom and gloom (we promise!).
7 Positive Things To Consider Today
Kamala Harris Is the First Indian-American Senator
California elected Kamala Harris to the U.S. Senate. Kamala's mother emigrated to the U.S. from India, and her father emigrated from Jamaica. This also makes her the second black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, and the first black senator from California. Meanwhile, Pramila Jayapal became the first Indian-American woman elected to Congress.
Catherine Cortez Masto Is The First Latina Senator
Masto is also Nevada's first female Senator. She is the granddaughter of a Mexican immigrant, and her campaign focused on comprehensive immigration reform, increased minimum wage, paid family leave and equal pay for equal work.
Minnesota Elected The First Somali-American Muslim Woman To The State Legislature
This feels like a major miracle after listening to the This American Life episode entitled "Will I Know Anyone At This Party?" The at-times disturbing show sat in on townhall meetings in which Minnesota residents were warned that the Muslim Somali immigrant population in their town would essentially hijack their daughters, to much dismay. Ilhan Omar's election is a big, big win for that state, and for Muslim-Americans.
Van Jones Exists
Those of you who watched CNN's coverage of the election might have noticed the class act that is commentator Van Jones. As the election turned, and the conservatives sitting next to him rejoiced, Jones kept his cool (while simultaneously seeming as if about to cry). He was heartbreakingly graceful—let him give you goosebumps here.
Twitter Is Now Trying To Motivate Michelle
As the results came in last night, Twitter turned to the idea of a Michelle Obama presidency in 2020 for comfort. We'd sign up to work that campaign yesterday. If you're feeling overly stressed right now, we suggest repeating "Michelle 2020" over and over again in your head. It's working for us.
Hillary Clinton Won The Popular Vote
No matter your politics, as human beings we think it's hard to feel okay with the idea that the majority of Americans share the viewpoint of an openly racist, misogynistic man who has said all these things. The good news is, they don't. Hillary may not have won the electoral vote, but she did win the popular vote. She also still broke a glass ceiling in becoming the first female major party presidential nominee. "And to all the little girls watching this," she said this morning, "never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams." We have no doubt this turn of events is inspiring more women into politics than ever before (including, we hope, Michelle). Even Clinton's purple suit was meant to energize her followers this morning, as it's one of the colors of the National Women's Party which symbolizes loyalty, constancy to purpose and unswerving steadfastness to a cause.
You Still Have A Voice
Today, you may need to take a break to feel discouraged, or scared, or to google Canada's immigration policy. Take it. Tomorrow, however, it will be time to become more involved in the issues that matter to you the most. Here is a list of organizations that work to fight for some of the rights that may be challenged in the next four years (with a little extra motivation below).
