To My Friends Who Are #Resist-ing

Guys, I can talk candidly here right? Everyone who thinks I'm a liberal crybaby loser has either unfollowed me by now or is not going click on the link to this blog...so I might as well just let it all out there.

I am utterly horrified by what is happening in America. Watching these new policies unfold nearly every day adds a loop to the thick, dark, knot at the pit of my stomach. I dreaded Inauguration Day for weeks because I knew that this was going to be unpleasant. But, damn, all of this is beyond anything I could have prepared myself for. Who knew? Even now, with story after story of utter incompetence and disregard for the American system of government, I still feel a little strange calling it what it is.

I am scared. Not for myself...not yet. However, the new stance toward Muslims sounds like something I've heard before...seen played out in heart wrenching, soul crushing, films. I hope against hope that I am over reacting. God, I would rather be labeled a loony tune than be right about the direction our government is taking. If I'm right...it will be to my horror.

What I am certain of is that God has stirred passion in my heart to be both a consummate helper and a fervent truth teller. I will NOT stand silent as Muslims are targeted for mistreatment by our government. I will NOT stand silent as Mexicans are targeted for mistreatment by our government. I will NOT stand for anyone being mistreated by our government.

As the coming days (days that feel like years amirite) keep bringing worse and worse news, the cost of speaking out is going to get higher. I just want you to know that I am, at my very core, in this for the long haul. But friends, my mind and my body are going to get tired. They're going to want to give in, to sit down and shut up. It will be gloriously tempting to throw my hands in the air and scream "to hell with this!" That's why I need you all.

We're all going to have our moments when we have nothing left. We collectively need to remember that this fight is going to be long...it's going to be arduous...it's going to be new and challenging to many ideas we have about how to effect change. I have no clue what standing with one another is going to look like...but I know we need to figure it out. We're going to need to prepare to pull one another up if we collapse under the weight of this #resist-ance. Also...bail money...we might need bail money.