By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The author, deeply saddened by the outcome of the election, grapples with the political divide within her own marriage, particularly the stark contrast between her husband’s support for the winning candidate and her own disappointment. This division has caused her to question their future and to doubt the possibility of reconciliation, especially due to the profound differences in their views on the implications of the election for various groups, particularly women and minorities. She finds solace in her network of friends and family who share her concerns, and she vows to continue fighting for her beliefs, despite the pain and uncertainty. Ultimately, the author recognizes that the path forward lies in open communication and understanding, even in the face of deep disagreement.
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It’s Thanksgiving and Christmas time, the season of family, togetherness, and sharing – a time for deep reflection and gratitude. But this year, for many families, there’s a new kind of chill in the air. Some are struggling with the reality that their loved ones voted for Donald Trump, an event that has torn families apart and redefined their relationships.
I can’t imagine celebrating while being among people who proudly voted for a man who I believe embodies the very opposite of the values I hold dear. It feels like a betrayal, a rejection of everything I believe in, and I’m not alone. Many people feel the same way – a deep sense of disgust and anger at the choices their loved ones made. It’s hard to reconcile the person you thought you knew, the person you thought you loved, with the person who could vote for someone like Trump.
Maybe it’s the blatant racism, the misogyny, the disregard for human rights, or the lack of empathy. Perhaps it’s the blatant disregard for truth and facts, the endless stream of lies and distortions, or the disdain for democratic norms. It’s hard to ignore the values that seem to have been turned on their heads.
It’s understandable to feel angry, hurt, and betrayed. It’s natural to want to distance yourself from people who seem to have embraced a worldview so fundamentally different from your own. It’s a painful realization that those you love seem to value something else – something that you find reprehensible – over the values you cherish.
For many, the choice is clear: to step away, to find solace in the company of those who share their values, and to avoid the inevitable conflicts that would erupt if they remained. It’s a painful decision, but one that many feel is necessary to preserve their own sense of self-worth and to maintain their own moral compass.
We all need to do this. We need to be brave enough to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means alienating those we love. We need to be honest with ourselves and with our loved ones, even if it means risking the possibility of losing them.
We are not obligated to maintain relationships with people who don’t share our values, especially if those values are fundamentally opposed to the things we hold dear. It’s not about politics; it’s about character. It’s about the kind of world we want to live in, the kind of future we want to create for ourselves and our children. It’s about the kind of people we want to be.
This is a time for soul-searching, for self-reflection, and for making hard choices. It’s a time to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means standing alone. It’s a time to be true to ourselves, even if it means hurting the people we love. It’s a time to recognize that the values we hold dear are worth fighting for, even if it means sacrificing some relationships along the way.
This isn’t just about Thanksgiving or Christmas. It’s about the kind of world we want to live in, the kind of future we want to create, and the kind of people we want to be. We can’t compromise our values. We can’t pretend that everything is fine. We can’t continue to live in denial. We need to stand up for what we believe in, even if it means making difficult choices.
And maybe, just maybe, if we’re lucky, the love and respect we lose in the process will be replaced by something even stronger – a love that is built on shared values, on mutual understanding, and on a common desire for a better future.