I was in law school in 2012, I was writing my final paper Why Don’t You Give Your Baby Up for Adoption-I talked about how adoption laws needed to be less stringent because birthing mothers are disenfranchised—it was a paper in defense of abortion and I never imagine Roe would be overturned within 10 years.
I had canvassed for Obama and phonebanked- I was a member of Elon Law Democrats and we had an Obama for America office on the same street as our school. James Taylor came by and performed “Carolina in my Mind.” We went to an election night party and we were never once stressed. It’s very hard to access that feeling now.
I was 29w pregnant with my oldest when Hillary lost. I cried all day on and off, I sat on the couch disassociating, I’m not sure I moved or ate until 5 pm when I talked to my MIL and husband’s aunt. We had all been crying all day. I wish I felt better but I feel anxious. My kids are hopeful, they’re excited about having a fun day with me off school. It feels like a long day.
I know Harris has worked so hard to reclaim the joyful spirit of Obama's campaign, and kudos to her! I think we've just all become more anxious and less hopeful in the intervening years.
All of this. My plan today is to stay off the news for as long as possible even after polls close. 2016 shook me. I can’t re-live that trauma in front of a screen for hours. At some point that will mean staying off substack too. I have kids to look after, a book to finish, and a new vlogger who lives on a Nordic island to watch. No matter what I’ll rejoin society tomorrow, in whatever collective action is necessary.
It's still hard to believe we're doing this again. And I'm with you — I couldn't watch even the Daily Show after that guy won the first time. Also, as much as I loved Jon Stewart, his show was complicit with the rest of the media in giving that guy way too much screen time — even if it was, in that case, because they thought he was a joke.
I'll never forget how gleeful Jon Stewart was when Trump first announced his candidacy in 2016. Like most of us, Jon Stewart assumed he'd never win and appreciated all the comedic fodder Trump would give him. I wonder if that episode has haunted him since!
I was in law school in 2012, I was writing my final paper Why Don’t You Give Your Baby Up for Adoption-I talked about how adoption laws needed to be less stringent because birthing mothers are disenfranchised—it was a paper in defense of abortion and I never imagine Roe would be overturned within 10 years.
I had canvassed for Obama and phonebanked- I was a member of Elon Law Democrats and we had an Obama for America office on the same street as our school. James Taylor came by and performed “Carolina in my Mind.” We went to an election night party and we were never once stressed. It’s very hard to access that feeling now.
I was 29w pregnant with my oldest when Hillary lost. I cried all day on and off, I sat on the couch disassociating, I’m not sure I moved or ate until 5 pm when I talked to my MIL and husband’s aunt. We had all been crying all day. I wish I felt better but I feel anxious. My kids are hopeful, they’re excited about having a fun day with me off school. It feels like a long day.
I know Harris has worked so hard to reclaim the joyful spirit of Obama's campaign, and kudos to her! I think we've just all become more anxious and less hopeful in the intervening years.
All of this. My plan today is to stay off the news for as long as possible even after polls close. 2016 shook me. I can’t re-live that trauma in front of a screen for hours. At some point that will mean staying off substack too. I have kids to look after, a book to finish, and a new vlogger who lives on a Nordic island to watch. No matter what I’ll rejoin society tomorrow, in whatever collective action is necessary.
Take care of yourself! I plan to go to a 12-step recovery meeting tonight.
It's still hard to believe we're doing this again. And I'm with you — I couldn't watch even the Daily Show after that guy won the first time. Also, as much as I loved Jon Stewart, his show was complicit with the rest of the media in giving that guy way too much screen time — even if it was, in that case, because they thought he was a joke.
I'll never forget how gleeful Jon Stewart was when Trump first announced his candidacy in 2016. Like most of us, Jon Stewart assumed he'd never win and appreciated all the comedic fodder Trump would give him. I wonder if that episode has haunted him since!
It's sure haunted me! I still remember that gleeful expression on Jon Stewart's face.
and then this morning - I barely have the energy for one syllable FUCK as I contemplate the potential end of life as we know it.
Thank God for gluten!
Beer and cookies all day today…
Great piece about this emotional roller coaster of ours. I’ve been on it a lot longer than you!
Yes. Exactly. I miss feeling hopeful.
Audacious as it may be, let's think honestly about moving forward with a new comprehensive Equal Rights Amendment!
Now, more than ever!
Well said. I feel all of this. Thanks for giving me the gift of feeling seen on this tough day.
One of your best!