I feel like, on a national level, a lot of us have been moving through the stages of grief during this past week and a half. It started with us being in absolute denial that a candidate who many of us saw to be unfit had been elected. Once the initial shock subsided we were angry, outraged at the hateful reactions of extreme supporters. Some of us tried bargaining with the Electoral College as a last resort, with the hopes that maybe, just this one time, history could be rewritten and things would work out in our favor. When we realized that wasn’t possible, you could say a depression hit. It has taken a while to start moving on, but a lot of us are starting to accept the things we cannot change.
For those of us who will not accept what we cannot change, myself included, please know there are still ways to have your voice heard. There are thousands of people who have the same beliefs and convictions as you. We’re banding together to make sure everyone knows we are still here, and we’re not going anywhere. People have been marching for immigrants’, women’s, human and civil rights. We march and peacefully protest in opposition to environmentally damaging projects; against policies that are inhumane. We do this in solidarity, so we can help amplify the voices of those who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Maybe I’ve just been listening to the “Hamilton” soundtrack too much, but I can feel the revolution gaining momentum. I’ve seen people who have generally stayed quiet about their beliefs start to speak out against injustice. I’ve seen bonds form between complete strangers after they stand together for what they see is right. If you’re interested but don’t know how to get involved, scrolling through social media sites might be your best bet. Hardly a day has passed where I haven’t seen someone post a petition to sign or talk about events or meetings they’re going to attend. Go to a petition page and see how many people are fighting for the same thing you’re passionate about. Talk to your friends about the things they’re passionate about and see where you match up. If you’re here in Gainesville and are looking for a place to start, you’re in luck. There will be a peaceful march Saturday, and we will meet on campus at 4 p.m. at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. We will then march together to Bo Diddley Community Plaza. For more information, you can search for “Freedom from Fear March” on Facebook.
My mom has told me a million times, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” meaning the louder and more vocal you are, the more likely you’ll get the attention you need. In this sense, it would probably benefit us all to be squeaky wheels, especially since the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution gives us as American citizens the right to free speech and the right to peaceful protest. The best, most beneficial thing all of us can do for our nation as ordinary citizens is know our rights and exercise them accordingly, so all sides will be heard.
At the end of the day, we’re in this for the future. Our progress will far outlive us, and I think that is the best we could hope for in terms of being able to make a change for the better. I think Lin Manuel Miranda got it right with these lyrics, “We may not live to see our glory, but I will gladly join the fight.” Let’s get out there.
Alexa DeLoera is a UF political science senior. Her columns appear on Fridays.
