This week I voted.
For the LGBTQ community.
For people of color.
For people of every faith.
For men.
For women.
For civility.
For decency.
For equality.
For unity.
For humanity.
I voted against bigotry.
and hatred,
and exclusion,
and fear,
and false stories,
and lazy stereotypes,
and hurtful caricatures,
and damaging words,
and lies that say that differences are dangerous,
that strangers are a threat,
that the other is less-than.
I voted for people penalized for the color of their skin,
the place they were born,
the clothes they wear,
the language they speak,
the bathroom they use,
the way they worship,
the person they love.
I voted because my skin color and my gender and my orientation are never things I’ve had to fight for or been wounded because of.
I voted for Trayvon Martin,
for Freddie Gray,
for the Pulse nightclub,
for Dallas police officers,
for Syrian refugees,
for Charleston,
for Baltimore,
for Flint,
for Charlotte,
for Standing Rock.
I voted for people I agree with,
for those I don’t,
for those who I love,
those I despise,
for my allies,
my adversaries,
for those who have my back,
and those who’d thrust a knife in it—
because this is what it means to really believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
I voted because these this belong to everyone.
I voted because no one owns America; no religion or political party or candidate.
I voted because freedom isn’t hoarded and selectively doled out.
I voted because the dream of peace is universal and the right to it should be as well.
I voted because I want to leave the planet less hateful, less divided, more compassionate, and more loving than when I arrived.
I voted because kids in inner city Detroit and in rural Appalachia and in the rubble of Aleppo matter as much to me as the ones sleeping in the room next to mine.
I didn’t vote to force my beliefs on anyone else, but to make sure no one has to experience such things.
I voted my heart and my faith and my intellect and my conscience.
I didn’t vote to make America great again.
I voted to celebrate its greatness.
I voted to be part of that greatness.
And I will live this way.
