Hate. It's Easy.

Yesterday, as I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed a voter for the President-Elect told those who didn't vote for him to "suck it up and put away your safety pins." Well, I ask you, if the claim is that the President-Elect is not racist or xenophobic, as many of his supporters claim, and the majority of his supporters aren't either, as they claim, then why aren't they too wearing safety pins.

There are people in this country who are very afraid. They have brown skin. Their children are being bullied in the schoolyard. White men are shouting at them in the streets. They are being beaten. They are being molested. They are told to go back where they came from.

Hate crimes are up.

There are people in this country who are very afraid. They are disabled. There are members of the President-Elect's cabinet who have been quoted as saying that the problem with American education is that the disabled go to school. They are treated as sub-human.

Hate crimes are up.

There are people in this country who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, gender-fluid, or queer. They are being beaten. They are being killed. Their children are being bullied in the schoolyard. White men and women are shouting at them to give up their ways, as though they have a choice.

Hate crimes are up.

There are people in this country who are not Christian. They are being told that others just like them will have no place in this country. They will be banned. Their children are being bullied in the schoolyard. White people are yelling at them in the street to go back where they came from.

Hate crimes are up.

There are people in this country who are immigrants. They come from other lands fleeing tyranny or to live the American dream. They sought refuge. Their children are being bullied in the schoolyard. White people are yelling at them in the street to go back where they came from.

"But we'll never be truly free
until those in bondage have the same rights as you and me"

This is not my America. If you truly believe that the President-Elect is not racist or xenophobic or misogynist, then prove it and put on your safety pin, use your white privilege, and

"Rise up!"

When you see someone hurt in the streets

"Rise up!"

When you hear someone uttering epithets

"Rise up!"

Don't stand by

"Rise up!"

Don't just be a witness

"Rise up!"

Defend those who need you

"Rise up!"

Defend those who are afraid

"Rise up!"

Prove your worth and

"Rise up!"



Quotes: Lin Manuel Miranda from Hamilton