Having watched the complete Democratic Nationwide Conference, I awoke the day after Kamala Harris’s inspiringly patriotic nomination acceptance speech discovering it arduous to grasp how we’ve something near a neck-in-neck race for this presidency. It’s arduous to think about that folks on this nation are as far aside as we’re about issues that matter so much- like democracy, equal human rights for all, truthful elections, and fundamental kindness and decency. However it’s not arduous to think about that some folks on the pinnacle of white male privilege, energy, and misogyny are rattling positive not going to let a BIPOC lady grow to be President with out loads of ruckus.
That apart, I’ve by no means felt extra longing for my nation than after the Democratic Nationwide Conference this 12 months. Hope is a harmful factor. These of us with varied marginalizations have dared to hope before- and with hope comes the chance of crushing disappointment. Hope is a threat. Hope means getting excited sufficient that you just is likely to be devastated when hope is dashed.
However I’m selecting to take that threat. I hope you’ll too. As a result of whereas false hope may cause us to be reckless, actual hope can encourage actual change, and actual change on this country- actual social justice-oriented, democracy-oriented change- is what we Individuals want.
I do know what a few of you will say. “Keep in your lane, Lissa.”
Some folks solely need me to write down about mind-body drugs, trauma therapeutic, relationships, artwork, and memoir writing. I don’t want to deliberately alienate anybody who appreciates, helps, and advantages from my public work on the planet. However I additionally don’t wish to be anticipated to maintain my political opinions personal.
After I revealed my endorsement for Kamala Harris, my group was shocked on the quantity of hate mail we acquired. The viciousness of the individuals who subscribe to my mailing checklist however who don’t want me to endorse Kamala Harris is stunning to me, given all the things I stand for and have been public about for my whole public profession.
However as an American doctor who cares about public well being, our politics is a public well being difficulty at this level in our historical past. This IS my lane, so hear me out, please.
I’m educated as an OB/GYN. Combating for girls’s rights is one thing I’ve been doing since I used to be a youngster. I’m additionally the sister of a BIPOC lady. Combating in opposition to white supremacy and for Civil Rights can be one thing I’ve devoted myself to since I used to be an African American Girls’s Research main at Duke College, learning below the mentorship of Toni Morrison and Henry Louis Gates and studying Alice Walker and Zora Neale Hurston. I’m additionally the niece of two Methodist ministers and the granddaughter of one other Methodist minister who’ve a legacy of bucking the church to combat for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ rights and defending ministers who have been defrocked for marrying queer folks. My household is a household of card carrying ACLU members and members of the family who’re queer, out, and proud. And I’m proud to say that my household has full unity in our settlement that Kamala Harris is strictly the President we want proper now.
So after all I’m voting for Kamala Harris, and naturally I’m going to shout it from the rooftops.
As a result of silence is violence.
If I don’t leverage my affect to face for my core values, I’m standing with the oppressor- on this case, the Republican Get together and its Donald Trump loyalists.
As a result of let’s face it. At this level within the political course of, in case you’re not voting for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, you’re voting for Donald Trump and JD Vance, which implies you’re voting for MAGA extremists, destruction of democracy, the elimination of free and truthful elections, the top of decency and decorum, and the institution of a vindictive authoritarian dictatorship hell bent on oppressing BIPOC, ladies, immigrants, veterans, and anybody who is just not a MAGA loyalist.
Now that RFK, Jr is out of the race (I used to be not a fan of this anti-vax Disinformation Dozen Covid denialist to start with), voting for Donald Trump is the one actual different to voting for Kamala Harris. And which means voting for white supremacy, misogyny, grabbing ladies by the pussy, stripping ladies of their reproductive rights, homophobia, blocking job creations and infrastructure planning, xenophobia, and pardoning convicted January 6 insurrectionist felons.
However you all know that. So let’s discuss in regards to the pleasure reverberating across the nation due to the Democratic Nationwide Conference. My sister in legislation despatched me this article about a therapist commenting on the distinction between the feminine and male youngsters he sees in his remedy observe proper now. The women are lighter. Their eyes brighter. Their hope sparked. The boys…not a lot. It moved me to consider all of the little ladies on the market and all of the BIPOC youngsters who’re seeing somebody like themselves probably rising to the highest place of world management. What a distinction it makes when we’ve even a crack within the basis of the systemic oppression of white supremacy and patriarchy!
My entire household watched the Democratic Nationwide Conference, with an energetic textual content thread between us, and I haven’t felt this quantity of hope since Obama was operating. I haven’t seen this a lot variety on the DNC ever earlier than. The sheer glory of all these BIPOC ladies basking of their energy, expertise, intelligence, justice-seeking equity, and interior/ outer magnificence made my coronary heart sing. And all that BIPOC male Democratic expertise and musical expertise. And a brand new breed of masculinity modeled by Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Kamala Harris’s operating mate Tim Walz.
I used to be in tears time and time once more.
So at this time, I’m relistening to the playlist my DJ Zaza half made to rejoice Joe Biden’s handing of the torch to Kamala Harris.
You can listen to Kamala Harris For President tunes here.
I shall be instructing an IFS and Memoir Writing retreat in Malta in the course of the election. (There’s still room to join us- sign up here!) So I’ll remember to submit my absentee poll whereas I’m overseas.
For any of you already dedicated Trump voters, please don’t waste your time writing me hate mail. I don’t learn it and it upsets my workers. Train your proper to vote and vote for whoever you need. That’s what democracy is about.
However in case you’re nonetheless undecided, please watch Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech from the DNC. Compare it to Trump’s acceptance speech at the RNC.
Vote out of your coronary heart.
Let freedom ring.
As a result of I care,
Lissa
