This morning I woke up feeling heavy and cold, like the day after a break-up, and then I remembered...

This morning I woke up feeling heavy and cold, like the day after a break-up, and then I remembered why. 

Outside my window, birds were singing and I had a moment of utter disbelief. The world hasn’t ended, though in many ways the world as we know it has. I’m not American but this election affects the entire world in deeply profound ways that we will all feel. 

I feel stunned and angry and so depressed it took me a long time to work up the will to get out of bed. I feel isolated in a city that thinks these results are pretty funny and don’t realise that throughout the US, there are people afraid for their lives. They don’t realise that this man could bring about a nuclear war, and that no amount of distance will save any of us if he does. They don’t realise how much there is at stake. 

My favourite whatsapp chat group broke up about this today. One member openly admitted and defended having voted for Trump. Another didn’t come out and say so, but it was pretty clear. These are white, upper-middle class people who think they have nothing to fear. When are we going to grow up and come to understand that we are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, that if one person or group of people suffers, it is a threat to the safety and freedom of every other person on the planet? When are we going to stop being so selfish and short-sighted? 

I despair for the world today. Western civilisation took a giant step backward. I am afraid. 

And yet, the birds are still singing. I’m crying as I type this. I’m afraid for so many of you. I’m afraid for all of us. This isn’t meant to be an essay on what we’re supposed to do or feel or think now. I have no pearls of wisdom to offer. Just my anger. Only love is greater than fear, but fear won yesterday. Fear of the other, fear of having to share an unfair level of advantage, fear of the loss of special status. Fear of women, particularly competent, experienced, powerful women. 

I love you all and I hope you’re okay. Which is to say that I hope you’re safe. I think we’re all a long way from being okay right now. 

@sarahclapp, @shana-movershaker, @yaycoffee, @dietrich76, @treetop821, @piplover, @distaffgospels, @kabsann, @one-thousand-leaves, @redpeacoat3, @starrla89, @totallysilvergirl.