The recent election results have caused fear, confusion, grief, and hopelessness in many Americans. This is a time of uncertainty for our country as we await what the next presidency holds in store. In these difficult times, Life After Hate continues to serve an ever-growing number of participants and to provide education and intervention support as rising numbers of emboldened far-right and ideologically motivated extremists speak out and take unconscionable actions. We will see difficult times ahead, but in these uncertain times, we can choose how to move into the next four years. We have the opportunity to utilize the tools we have developed, to make a difference in our country, to rise to the challenge, and to meet the needs of those who need us the most, both personally and professionally.
At LAH, the ethos of “compassion with accountability” informs everything we do. In practice, this means we hold each other accountable while showing compassion in times of adversity, sadness, and loss. We are accountable to ourselves and each other in a way that builds and strengthens our organizational community and expands out into our larger communities and those we serve. And make no mistake, now is not the time to give up. We must continue to serve. Resilience is the ability to overcome or adjust easily to change or misfortune, to recover and bounce back from adversity and conflict. Some tools to immediately address feeling overwhelmed are talking to those you trust about how you are feeling, taking a break or limiting news or social media intake, going outside, and spending time with your pets. You may find it helpful to run your hands under cool water, do grounding exercises, or participate in physical exercise. This is not to discount fears that are real and valid but to help you stay grounded in the moment.
Our resilience and grit are being tested and now is our moment to show that we will overcome. We can choose to let the election outcome create a sense of unending grief and sadness or we can choose to acknowledge those feelings and then work through them with hope. Hope is often thought of as wishful thinking, but hope is an active process. One in which there is a belief the future will be better and you have the power to make it so. Hope is based on desirable goals, pathways to goal attainment, and willpower to pursue those pathways. To do this, we must first care for ourselves by practicing personal wellness, trauma stewardship, and commitment to self while fighting for a just cause. We can choose to steel our resolve, have hope, and be intentional with how we show up and how we work toward a safer society. To continue to serve our communities, we must do exactly this.
Let’s strive to respond to this crisis with courage and fortitude. Now is not the time to fall apart, to go numb, or to give up. Instead, let’s recharge, rest, find resources, and then come back with a plan to face the challenges ahead with hope, accountability, and the desire to see a future free from hate.
