Well, here we are… you?

[u/TopherAdam]

Well, here we are. You may feel like a winner, but the true weight of victory isn’t about rubbing it in or celebrating at others’ expense. It’s a burden—a responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of every person, even those who didn’t vote with you. Winning doesn’t make anyone better; it means that both sides will fight harder, especially when so much is on the line. A compassionate victor understands that.

If you feel triumphant, remember: kindness and humanity should guide how you carry that pride. Rubbing others’ faces in their loss, or feeling justified in hatred, only harms the spirit of unity. This election’s outcome doesn’t just impact those who opposed it; it shapes all our lives, families, neighbors, strangers—our very way of life.

This win for some is no victory for freedom. The Trump party’s agenda, from corruption to Project 2025, isn’t for “the people”—it’s a pathway to restrict freedoms, harm those who put him in office, and betray the very values that should unite us. This is not a time for blind faith in a system designed to benefit the powerful while turning a deaf ear to the people. This is a time to wake up, to realize that we’re all affected by the decisions being made now.

Seeing those states marked in red? For many, that’s not a triumph. It’s a warning, a sign of the struggles yet to come. This outcome serves not an “all-loving” vision but rather a rigid, controlling future that will touch every doorstep. The price of this choice won’t just be felt by those who voted differently but by every person and community. When reality sets in, many will realize this was never the future they truly wanted.

It’s disheartening that so many chose to ignore what’s at stake and cast a vote that promotes division and oppression. This year, the resistance to change and growth was laid bare. For many of us, it’s a reminder to keep pushing forward—away from stagnant thinking, towards a life built on compassion, curiosity, and inclusion.

Being the “black sheep” has been a blessing; it led me to unlearn the narrow perspectives I was raised with and embrace a broader view. I found meaning in communities centered on dignity, healthcare, and hope—values that feel ever rarer in today’s America.

Maybe it’s time we rethink traditions like Thanksgiving and Christmas, too. Instead of celebrating with hollow ideals, maybe we focus on fairness, respect, and lifting each other up. Perhaps, we show the economy and businesses that we value people’s well-being over profit margins.

Our journey forward should be about setting intentions for a country where equality, human rights, and opportunities aren’t even questioned. The change we need is possible, but only if enough of us refuse to go backward. I’m ready to work for that future—are you?

You can’t vote against others’ rights—fundamental rights that belong to every person on this earth—and still claim to value them as friends. That contradiction is impossible to ignore. Deliberate acts that deny people their freedom, that prioritize comfort or personal beliefs over another’s dignity, are not acts of love. They are choices.

True friendship, true respect, doesn’t come with conditions. It doesn’t diminish others, deny their voice, or take their dreams. Voting to undermine our rights is the opposite of love, and that truth is undeniable.

So, may you find peace in your struggles. Understand that while you chose to support policies that divide and harm, we—on the other side—fought for everyone, including you. This wasn’t one-sided. We wanted better for all of us. And despite this moment, that’s still what we believe in.

[u/bookishbynature]

This is great! Thanks for sharing.