what I want my kids to learn from the 2016 election

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For some reason–maybe it was where I was in my life or just how strongly I felt about our country’s need for Barack Obama to be president–I was pretty active in the 2008 election.

I should clarify: I was more active in the 2008 election than I had been in any other prior and any other in my life. I went to the phone banks. I made calls. I sent postcards. I participated in fundraisers. I met with local Obama supporters.

This election has been different for me. I have almost felt that it would be a lock for Hillary Clinton.

I have always felt deep in my heart of hearts that there’d be no way our country could elect anyone other than Clinton as its next president.

I mean, didn’t people see what was happening? Were they not living, breathing human beings?

• Didn’t they realize that Clinton has been serving this country in some way, shape, or form since she was a teenager?
• Didn’t they know that some considered her THE most qualified for the position of President of the United States compared to any other candidate in history?
• Did they really, truly think that Donald Trump–That’s enough. You’re FIRED!!!–could seriously be the leader of the free world?
• Hadn’t they heard that Trump was the least endorsed presidential candidate–basically ever?
• Didn’t they watch the election coverage on the news? Hadn’t they seen Clinton be bullied, name-called, and stalked on stage during debates?
• Did they not hear Donald Trump’s crazy, rambling, nonsense answers about his policy ideas?
• Hadn’t they heard Trump bragging about grabbing women and kissing women without their permission? Did they really think he would make a decent president?
• Did they really think that this man who has never held a public office could really, truly, choose our Supreme Court Justices, assemble a logical cabinet, lead our military, and run our country?

But election day is tomorrow, my friends, and more than ever, I’m hopeful.

I’m hopeful.

I have to be. It’s all I have.

Honestly, I have faith in the American public.

I have faith that people will make the right choice on Election Day.

And I’m banking on being able, in a few short days, to look back with my kids and talk about lessons learned from this election.

What do I want my kids to learn from this election?

I want my kids to learn several things from the 2016 election:

 

1. I want my kids to learn that every, single person matters.

I want my kids to learn that especially because we were lucky enough to be born in this great country, we have a responsibility to help others less fortunate than us. That every person deserves a chance. That everyone, no matter their race, color, or creed, deserves the right to live the American dream.

That building a big, ridiculous wall is not the answer, is not realistic, and is not okay.

I want my kids to learn that everyone deserves healthcare. That every child must have the medicine he or she needs, that well-visits cannot be a luxury and that vaccines are necessary for every child, not just a select few.

I want my kids to learn that they live in a world where, when people flee from an unsafe environment, those men, women, and children have a safe spot to land. That there will be folks somewhere who welcome them with open arms and feed them and clothe them and teach them and help them to get back on their feet again.

 

2. I want my kids to learn that their body is their body and they control what happens to it.

I want my kids to learn that no one–no politician, no doctor, no family member, no friend, no neighbor, no man, no woman, no one–can or should tell them what to do with their body.

I want my kids to learn that no one touches their body without their permission. That their body is special, is awesome, is theirs and theirs alone. That their body is to be respected, cared for, and honored. At all times.

I want my kids to learn that they live in a country where the laws are designed to keep that body safe. At all times.

 

3. I want my kids to learn that when you make a mistake, you apologize and ask for forgiveness.

I want my kids to learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and that mistakes are a natural, expected part of life. That sometimes when we stumble, if we look back, we can see things more clearly.

I want my kids to learn that even adults can admit to doing wrong and when they do admit they’re wrong, they can be forgiven.

I want my kids to learn that it’s not how loudly or repeatedly you disguise error as truth that makes you stronger. Rather, it’s having the courage to admit that you were wrong–that you made a mistake–in the first place and to ask for the forgiveness of others.

 

4. I want my kids to learn that love is love is love.

I want my kids to know learn every person deserves to be able to love whom they want. To marry whom they want. And that love is love is love is love.

No matter how you look at it, one person’s idea of love is no better than the next person’s.

Love is love is love is love is love.

Period.

The end.

 

5. I want my kids to learn that they live in a country where the laws are designed to keep them safe.

I want my kids to learn that even though our Constitution gives them the right to bear arms, that there are rules and policies in place to make sure that the wrong weapons don’t get into the hands of the wrong people.

That every, single day when my kids go to school, that they can rest assured that they can grow and learn and play safely. That they will never need to live through the reality one of the many Code Red Drills they practice and that often keep them up at night.

I want my kids to learn that our law enforcement officers are here to protect every, single one of our brothers and sisters, no matter their race, color, or creed.  And those same brave men and women who uphold our peace can be trusted to treat everyone the same–every, single one of our brothers and sisters, no matter their race, color, or creed.

No matter their race, color, or creed.

 

6. I want my kids to learn that we can depend on each other.

I want my kids to learn that even though things got really ugly during this election, that they can find solace in the fact that, in the end, the American people will come together as one and make sure that the United States of America is left in good hands.

I want my kids to learn that the majority of their neighbors in this great country will choose good. The majority will do the right thing.

I want my kids to learn that when push comes to shove, even the tired and the quiet will open up their doors on election day, head to the polls, and push the lever that will benefit the people.

I want my kids to learn that though things seemed close at times and though many weren’t sure of the outcome, that the American people came through this time and that they will always come through.

That my kids live in a country where people really do recognize good character, a kind heart, and a qualified leader.

I want my kids to learn that we really and truly are stronger together.

 

7. I want my kids to learn that they can work hard, dream big, and that the sky’s the limit to the awesome they can accomplish. 

I want my kids to learn that hard work often pays off.

I want my kids to learn that often it takes a few failed attempts before you make that basket, score that goal, reach the summit. That sometimes it’s hard–really hard–but that you get back up, dust yourself off, and keep on going. One foot in front of the other. You try again. Carry on.

I want them to know the hours and days and months and years that Hillary Clinton worked in order to get to the Oval Office, the greater part of her life which she dedicated to public service.

I want them to know about the hours upon hours that she prepared for the debates, like she was training for a fight, in order to be most prepared for the questions thrown at her.

I want my kids to learn that they can dream big. That nothing can hold them back–their size, their shape, their color, gender, hairstyle, or eye color.

Not the language they speak, the shoes they wear, or what they like to eat for breakfast.

Not where they were born or where they go to school.

Not whether they have an iPhone or don’t. Not whether they can ride a bike or can jet ski. Not whether they walk to school or ride a bus.

No matter if they can get 264 ‘likes’ on an Instagram post, have 6255 ‘hearts’ on Musical.ly, or have a Snapchat score of 225,980.

I want my kids to learn that each and every one of them can do anything he or she wants and that they will, thanks to those who paved the way.

Thanks to those who shattered the glass ceiling.

 

8. I want my kids to learn that kindness wins.

I want my kids to learn that the lesson they learned back in playgroup and preschool–to treat others the way you want to be treated–is true no matter how old you are.

I want my kids to learn that The Golden Rule is the law of the land.

My kids saw how the candidates talked to each other–and about each other–during this crazy election, and I want them to know that kindness wins.

I want my kids to learn that name-calling is not okay. That bullying is not okay. That we take turns when speaking, and we listen to each other when spoken to.

I want my kids to learn that when a person treats another person as unkindly as Donald Trump treated Hillary Clinton during every, single debate and interview, that he shouldn’t win. He can’t win. And we won’t allow him to win.

I want my kids to learn that when they go low, we go high.

Today, tomorrow, and always.

When they go low, we go high.

 

Please, friends. Vote tomorrow. 

And know this: #ImWithHer

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