Balancing on Unstable Surfaces: The Election, the Results and the Reality

I’m tired of this balancing act. Interaction with willful ignorance and people who don’t care enough to google to be informed is exhausting. Giving a modicum of grace for those disinformed with a lack of awareness they can be wrong is draining. But, I have remained calm and grounded since the election. I’ve learned the lessons, I’ve lived the lessons, I’m not going back.

Since the election, search terms like “how tariffs work” have gone up exponentially. Y’all, it’s too late. You voted for this guy and in a couple of days the headlines started… Businesses Preparing To Raise Consumer Prices To Offset Trump Tariff Costs, Companies prepare for Trump tariffs by ditching China, or Trump’s win could lead companies to push up prices. Yes, prices are high, but tariffs raise prices. You voted against your own best interest, be it willful ignorance or misinformation. I try to bring in reality. I mentioned to several Trump supporters and even showed photos of the blatant display of 1488 is at Trump Rally’s and explained and what it means.

1488 is a combination of two popular white supremacist numeric symbols. The first symbol is 14, which is shorthand for the “14 Words” slogan: “We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.” The second is 88, which stands for “Heil Hitler” (H being the 8th letter of the alphabet). Together, the numbers form a general endorsement of white supremacy and its beliefs. As such, they are ubiquitous within the white supremacist movement – as graffiti, in graphics and tattoos, even in screen names and e-mail addresses, such as aryanprincess1488@hate.net.  Some white supremacists will even price racist merchandise, such as t-shirts or compact discs, for $14.88.

14/88

I consistently got a puzzled or sheepish look rather than “a WTF, or if that is true, this is horrible.” I’m all to familiar with a non response to overt racism. It’s a moment when I am chilled to my bones, you would offer grace and make excuses for a stranger before you would entertain the possibility of the truth of my wounded soul. Why do I mention this again after last week’s post, Subject to Interpretation?

Sadly, it hasn’t been a week since the election. Many people have not heard about the text sent in 25 states to African American students telling them to report to plantations. Yes. 25 states! Either this is clear evidence of foreign interference OR American hate. Pick one. Both are the results of a racist campaign that either emboldened white supremacy or proved a ruse for foreign interference to sow political discord. Neither are good. What we do know, and by we, I mean black people, European Americans are openly yelling at us “Trump Won,” “Know your place.” Yes, they are Making America Great Again with the delusion we’re in the 50’s and 60’s. We, and we I mean black women, know better and we’re not going back.

While the source of intimidation to African Americans is not known and being investigated, the threats to women, and by women, I mean white women is clearer. Social Media is reverberating with – “Your Body, My Choice.” Are all the post coming from American men? There is potential here also for bot activity or foreign interference. This is the results of apparent presidential victor who said on tape, “grab ’em by the p#$$y.” I reckon this is separate, but equal time. While black women know unfairness and discrimination that few can only imagine let alone survive, others will soon know.

Pre-election, there was a big concern of wives wanting to know if their husbands could tell who they voted for or control their votes. There were commercials, notes, post it’s in women’s room to let wives know it is OK to vote for Harris. Now, the Swiftly Moms are wearing blue bracelets to signal to each other they voted for Harris. I get it, y’all need each other right now because you risk alienation from your family and friends. You’ve not had to speak your own mind and go against popular thought. You”ve never stood out. You want to distance yourselves from other white women who by the numbers 52% voted orange. Welcome to the struggle. You’re new to this while black women are true to this.

So, we move forward. To understand views other than mine, I use Ground News. Ground News shows the news with coverage density on the left and right, the degree of factuality and if it is a blind spot for either side. The ability to click and read the source articles makes this a useful app. Nope, this is not a partnership and sponsorship, just me telling you what can be useful. With the rise in info-tainment – factuality is important. 

This week, consider, before you take a screen shot and share or post and repost, can you fact check? If you read something, can you double check to see if there is another source with similar information.? Google. Check Snopes are I have described before. We can’t move forward with misinformation and disinformation. Ridiculous hope and positivity and love, yes!!!

---

---

---

---

---

Have a peaceful 11/11. Here is a Veteran’s Day Post from the archives, 10 years ago.