The US Presidential Election is not yet complete and will not be certified for several weeks. A sufficient number of voters have elected as president a person with whom many of us have almost nothing in common. This is a highly disturbing development. For many of us, it will take time to adjust to this new reality.

It is a time to reflect on the election results, to try to understand why so many of our fellow citizens concluded that the behaviors we observed, the values that were articulated and the policy hints that were floated warranted the election of someone so at odds with our Solid Ground values and priorities.

It is a time for each of us to recover from the many micro-aggressions of the campaign, the shock of the election results, and the anxiety of the next four years. It is a time to practice self-care and to be mindful of the increased stress that is probably being felt by our residents, program participants and communities. We need to be careful to not let our stress add to the stress of those whom we serve and support. It is understandable that we may need take time to cope.

“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is a time to be resilient. Resiliency is a trait of those who have historically suffered from poverty, racism and oppression. It is a source of strength that enables us to fight the long hard fight for social justice and equity. In the history of our nation, we have always found a way to overcome, to persevere, and to lead our country and local communities to be a better place for all. We will do so again.

It is also a time to reflect on the progress we have made and will continue to make in the Pacific Northwest. Our efforts to protect human rights, remove barriers to full participation in society, and undo the oppressions that are root causes of poverty will be ever more important in the years ahead. Let us be an inspiration and guide to our nation.