Look Into YOUR Heart As We Face 2017

Since the most recent U.S. election, the last couple of months have been trying ones for me. As I wrote the day after the election , our country is divided and we really do need to try to address issues causing so much divisiveness in our nation. But I also feel the need to stand up against bullying and hatred and I see the President-elect as being one of the root causes of this divisiveness.

In December, I had an unexpected personal conflict come up. I was having lunch with a dear friend who will be at the Womens March in Washington, D.C. with me, and she invited me to attend the inauguration of our 45th president as the guest of a Republican congressman.

What to do when invited to attend what President Obama has hailed as a hallmark of our democracy ? All living former Democrat presidents will be attending the inauguration and even Secretary Clinton, who has just ended the most contentious of campaigns against the President-elect, is going to be in attendance. What message would I send by attending?

Of course, many of my more liberal friends had an initial reaction of Hell, NO! I fully understand this reaction but I also understand that if we are truly dedicated to making this world a better place, we need to have conversations with people that are different than us. This incoming administration stands for pretty much the exact opposite of everything I believe in. Would my attendance create opportunities to open a dialogue with people with whom I disagree?

I finally made the decision this week when Kellyanne Conway was speaking to CNNs Chris Cuomo and she suggested that we need to look at whats in his heart in reference to when the President-elect had mocked a disabled reporter. How do I look at what is in someones heart? First I need to look at their actions and what they say, and then, I need to look at what is in MY heart.

In my heart, I knew that by attending this inauguration, I would feel that I was giving my support to the President-elect, and by default, giving my support to what he stands for. In my heart, it is more important for me to take a stand against bigotry, hatred, racism, misogyny, homophobia, xenophobia, and Islamophobia, than it is to show that I am making an effort to come together by attending this public event. Rep. John Lewis spoke what so eloquently what is in my heart on Meet the Press, You cannot be at home with something, that you feel is wrong.

Next week, Donald J. Trump will become the 45th president of the United States and while he will be my president, I will not be attending his inauguration. I will be in DC, I will meet with people on both sides of the aisle that are dedicated to preserving human rights in this country. I will listen to differing opinions and I will share my knowledge and opinions in the hope of having a productive conversation.

And I will remember that when faced with trying to make a decision on how to act, I will look into my heart and I encourage all of you to do the same.