I Promise This To You All

I can survive, I am a white heterosexual male, I will survive. I can keep my mouth shut and and nod and smile and laugh when "appropriate" to avoid any confrontation and in any situation. I can easily dress the part, talk the part, have that polish that will allow me to manage in this world. I have always had that advantage, it was given to me upon my birth as an Anglo-saxon with a y chromosome. But that is not who I am.

This is who I am...

I am afraid for my daughter, who is not white and a female. Her world challenge just got a little tougher. Granted she is Asian, which will ease her journey, but the environment we have just decided for her is not a positive one. I am so sorry sweet girl, but Daddy will keep fighting for you.

I am afraid for my son, who is registered in the draft and can be called into service at any time. He is also a recent college grad, who is trying to make his mark in the world. His prospects of solid employment will not improve in the next 4 years (outside of forced military service). He has an empathetic soul and wants to present his art. The dark times ahead will not be good for his dreams and ambitions. I am sorry intelligent son, but Dad will keep fighting for you.

I am afraid for my mother, who dedicated her life to educating others, taught me to care for others, and be kind. She may not have a lot of years left, and those years will now be financially hard. It is currently a struggle to get what she needs on a fixed income, and an underfunded medicare system, this will not improve and will most definitely get worse for her. I am sorry mom, but your son will keep fighting for you.

I am afraid for my friends that have a different skin color, believe in a different religion, practice a different lifestyle. You have just been placed into a very difficult and troubling time. I have always had acute sense that the bigotry, the racism, the sexism, the xenophobia has never really gone away in this country. We have now unleashed this behemoth from the closet, your constitutional rights have just taken the biggest hit of your lives. Everything everyone has worked for is deteriorating right in front of our eyes. I am so sorry, but as your friend I will continue to fight for what is humanly right for everyone.

I PROMISE THIS TO YOU ALL, I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU.