Thanks to the Rev. Cheryl R. Thomas for sharing her thoughts. -promoted by desmoinesdem

I hold three beloved values that have been put into conflict with each other in recent days.

First, I deeply value the peaceful transition of power and I have learned from my mistake during the Bush Presidency when I considered his election illegitimate that I helped undermine the Presidency and the peaceful transition of power. I now believe the old political adage, “Do unto to others what you would have them do to you, because what you to to them when you are in the minority will surely be done to you when you are in the majority and vice versa.” I saw how my “sin” created the space to de-legitimize President Obama.

Secondly, I deeply value the rights of oppressed individuals to speak their truth to power, especially about their own identity and to claim their place in the public sphere. So I understand why people are protesting the election of a person who fueled racism, Islamophobia, homophobia, sexism, ablelism, nativism and disrespect of others. I truly do understand the very real fear that this election has brought especially as a disabled person. I know that as a mixed person who experiences white privilege, I do not fear that I will be removed or killed and others do believe that they might be.

Third, I deeply value empathy and compassion. I hear in the votes for Donald Trump a deep lament and cry for help from people who have been left behind in rural and rust belt America. Democrats and union members who have not been listened to or heard as their wages have stagnated and their communities have declined. I want to hear this message and I acknowledge that I have been tone deaf to it because sometimes this cry for help comes in forms of scapegoating that are very unacceptable to me.

When my values conflict I feel distress… I may offer what sound like spiritual platitudes to others but are deep balm to me, I may call for working together when people are too hurt and angry to do that, I may call for love and compassion for the very people others feel are to blame for their own distress and I may approach a Donald Trump presidency with an open mind which may distress some of the very people I want to support.

I share this because I am struggling through this maze of conflicting values and I am bound to post something about one of these values and offend others. Please understand that no one post or one comment explains what I believe or who I am. If you have read this far, you are someone I value and respect. Let us engage and talk to one another over the course of the next few weeks.