‘Where I stand’

By Margie Tayone Bruce

November 6, 2024.

Remember this day. And where you stand. For this day is the beginning of the end.

Today is when America goes backwards. Many women are mourning. Many men, who love and respect these women, are mourning with them. I am one of them, while there they are, standing on the other side, taunting us with their victory in hurting others. This feels worse than 2016. This feels like 9/11. The only difference is that, on that day, no one was White, Black, Man, or Woman. We were all Americans.

The most painful part of all this, is having some members of my family standing on the other side, who, I brought to this country through the process of “Chain Migration,” one in which the president-elect has adamantly promised to stop.

If you are a recent immigrant to this country—and of color at that—I hope he deports you, too! Why, do you think he will distinguish between legal and illegal or just because you voted for him, he will spare you? Why, the man has no spine! You haven’t noticed? But then again, you have been blindly worshipping him for the wrong reasons, with his lies bringing music to your ears! He only sees the color of your skin, and it’s not the same as his. This Turkish proverb sums it up:  “The forest was shrinking but the trees kept voting for the axe, for the axe was clever and convinced the trees that because his handle was made of wood, he was one of them.”

Then you call us feminists. Misogyny is okay, but feminism isn’t? Look up the words. Women’s rights are human rights. LGBTQ rights are human rights. My right, women’s rights, human rights are nonnegotiable. I am a Christian, but I am not a hypocrite. And being a Christian does not give me the right to decide what another woman does with her own body. And no, misogyny is NOT okay.

So, you, who voted for a lying, cheating, misogynistic convicted felon, I sure hope you don’t have a daughter. And if you do, I hope you can look that daughter in the eye and tell her why you chose economy over morality, hate over kindness, and why you chose him over her. Yes, we can have differences of opinion and even convictions, but not when it comes to racism, sexism, morality, and human rights.

You, who are waving the American flag proudly. That flag does not stand for hate like you do.

You, who said, “She’s a piece of garbage.” This, coming from a White man like yourself. You, who are looking for approval from a lying, cheating, misogynistic convicted felon—where is your self-worth?

To the little girl who watched in awe at a woman who looks like her, standing tall and proud amongst White men, and to all the little girls—keep dreaming and keep fighting. One day, you will break the glass ceiling, even if your own parents try to stop you. You have warriors behind you. You always have. We will keep fighting for you, like many women have, who got us where we are today, who fought and died for us to even have the right to vote.

Thank you, Madam Vice President, for fighting for us, for showing the world grace and class. You may have lost this race, but your cause—our cause—will not be defeated. As the great Maya Angelou said, “A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for others.” That is what you are, Madam Vice President.

So, remember today and where you stand. For when—not if—but when, the havoc he promised to create starts happening, you can look back on this day and remember exactly where you stood. I am not hoping for bad things to happen. (I tried to prevent it, and so did many others, didn’t we?) I am merely stating what’s foreseeable, for those words came right out of his mouth. And if there is one thing you can count him doing is making good on his threats.

Lastly, many of you will now unfollow me, unfriend me, and even block me. That is your choice. I am staying right where I stand today.