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I believe the result of the 2024 election is a sickening blow to all of us who care about the future of self-government in the United States. I think it is felt as a personal attack on all of us who care about our daughters’ and granddaughters’ rights, wellbeing, and their very lives.
For far too long, women have been expected to actively maintain peace in their daily interactions as if “all is well” when it is not. We have been expected to simply overlook gross unfairness in the name of “playing nicely,” “getting along” or from a profoundly misguided sense of “Christian charity.”
This oppressive imbalance happens regularly: in marriages, in families, in friendships, in social groups, in the workplace. We are so steeped in it as being the norm that many do not even see it. I have come to recognize this societal expectation as akin to abuse. Once recognized, for me to choose to continue to participate in it would be self-abuse.
This election is an opportunity for some deep consideration as to how we choose to proceed. To make a conscious choice to not set aside the denial of our basic human rights just to “get along” is an important act of awareness, recognition, and respect. It is vital to the wellbeing of not only women and girls, but of everyone.
All is not well. The stripping away of our basic rights is not okay. And more of us are no longer willing to act as if it is.
Laura Lander
Machias
