We are Equal.

I don’t hate trump or his supporters. I pity them. They don’t make me angry. They make me sad. I refuse to hate them, or give in to anger or disgust. They don’t deserve my energy.

But I do pity them. I feel sorry for anyone who lives with such a narrow worldview. I feel sorry they have so much hate in their hearts. I pity the thought of anyone living with so much anger and fear. I pity anyone who acts from their baser instincts and emotions. I pity anyone who hasn’t learned to choose their own behavior instead of living a series of reactions.

I feel sad for them. I can’t imagine living such a lonely existence. I feel sad they will never enjoy vibrant cultures and new experiences. I feel sad they will never hear perspectives and stories of unique individuals. I feel sad they won’t explore different walks of life. I feel sad they will never understand we are all the same.

I am sad for them, and look upon them with pity, but I do not feel hate or anger. I hope they have a chance to learn and change. I hope they come to recognize their mistakes, and grow from them. I hope they realize we are all human, deserving of love and acceptance. I hope they come to understand “others” are not actually different, except on the surface.

My heart aches with sadness for those who wish my community and I be treated with disdain. I feel sorry for anyone who fears me or my community, or our allies. I pity anyone who chooses not to accept me or my community. I am sad to know others see us as different and less than, when I see us all as equal.

I feel sad to know they want the worst for me, when I want the best for all of us- even them. That’s the only difference that truly matters to me- no matter how poorly they think of me, no matter how much ill they wish my way, I want them to succeed and grow and learn to love. Because I love humanity as a whole, including them. They think my community and I do not belong, but we are all a community of humans.

We all belong. We are all the same. We all deserve to be treated as equals. We all deserve acceptance and love.

I accept them as they are, including their faults. I refuse to give in to anger, hate, or disgust. They don’t deserve my energy, and I won’t let them drag me down. I’d rather spend my time trying to uplift us all.

I love you all, and hope you’re staying strong. Take care of yourselves.