If you know me personally, or even if you only know me through reading something I've written, you know my candidate did not win. I won't assume yours lost or won, but I will assume many of us who lock arms within the charitable world are concerned about those served by our organizations with the impending administration.
I realize there were a multitude of issues this election, and many voted on the concerns that affect them personally, so if I'm offending you too much to read on, God speed and God bless.
When you participate in nonprofit work like I do, you participate deeply within a mission or cause. You may work on the improvement or preservation of culture, education, the environment, faith, the arts, disaster relief, well-being, human rights, discrimination, disenfranchisement, or more. This MIGHT mean you voted in a way that reflected your concern for others over concern for self. If I'm making an unfair assumption, I apologize. Remember, this is an opinion piece.
I'm usually a bright side thinker, but there are times for which I lean dark and this is one of those times. I've been dragging my weary fears and questions into the folds of my brain - or out onto social media (whether I should or shouldn't) - grasping for some cellular solution that will give sense to it all.
Even though I realize there are Americans who voted on issues that do not categorize them as hate-driven, I can't help but look into the eyes of those around me on the street, at the store, at work, at church - and think, was it you? Do you hold a secret truth in which you despise your neighbor? Is it their gender you hate? Or is it their religious belief or lack there of? Is it who they choose to love, their age, the color of their skin, their ability level, their education, their immigration status, their lack of wealth? Are you pretending not to hate me? My daughters? My future grandchildren? Am I living the life I perceived, or have I only imagined the kindness I thought I knew in others? Certainly my issues - women's bodily autonomy, gender equality, fair housing, education for all, affordable healthcare, religious freedom, the preservation of culture and of the earth we call home - may not be important to you. It's a free country. At least for today.
Many challenges of society are addressed in the nonprofit sector. Charities, like the historic organization where I serve, were built as answers to problems our government cannot - or should not - solve. I'm fairly certain if we work at a nonprofit, our jobs just got harder. But there is some light in all of this. Our work has also become more important. Others may not see it yet, but we can see it in one other and through those we serve.
No matter which issue your organization addresses, my dear nonprofit friend, please know: you are beyond valuable. The good work you will perform over the next four years will prove to be a major source of hope for America.
Please hang in there. Thank you for helping humanity. Thank you for being the boots on the ground. Thank you for inspiring donors to get on board with your causes. Thank you to the donors who will extend themselves even further than they already do - and to the brand new contributors who will jump in. Thank you for reminding all of us that being in community with one another makes us stronger, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office. Embrace this opportunity to innovate and adapt. Embrace this opportunity to draw closer to your mission.
Maya Angelou said, "I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.” Thank you for being my hero as well as my light in the current darkness.
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