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We have one day left of a four year wait.
Like many of you perhaps, I've been thinking a lot about this time of year, four years ago. How I was feeling. What I was thinking. The ways in which I processed the days leading up to the election. And of course, the pit in my stomach that grew larger and larger when I heard the news at 3am that fateful Tuesday night.
The other day, I went back to read the blog post I wrote just a few days after the 2016 election. In it, I talked a lot about my disbelief and heartbreak, but also the idea of "kicking the shit out of Option B" — a page I stole out of Sheryl Sandberg’s book — the idea of taking a setback, a failure or just a plain unexpected turn of events, and seeing it as an opportunity for action. A way of taking a less than ideal hand of cards and staying in the game, because, well, no one else is going to play for you, if you decide to deal yourself out.
As much as I wanted a different outcome in 2016, I knew we all couldn't start planning our moves to Canada. There was work to be done and we had to keep pushing forward.
You don't need me to tell you the past four years have been rocky at best, tyrannical at worst. And while I recognize I largely speak into an echo chamber here on my platform, I still want to take this moment, here on the eve of the election, to tell you WHY I voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. To me, they represent the best ticket to support and fight for ALL Americans, regardless of background, tax bracket or the color of their party. I'm voting for racial equality. For climate change. For LGBTQ+ rights. For immigrants and dreamers. For accessible health care. For a solid plan to get COVID-19 under control that respects science and the economy. For women, because we don't need anyone else making decisions for our bodies. For decency. For compassion. For empathy. And so much more.
We have one day left of a four year wait. But whatever the outcome on Wednesday, please remember, there will always be more work to be done. So let's get to the polls tomorrow. And after that, let's roll up our sleeves.
If you haven't voted yet, there's still time. Visit iamavoter.com for more information, including locating your polling place.
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Photos by Grant Legan // Featuring my beautiful friends Kelly Augustine, Serena Goh and Nicolette Mason
I would really, really, really, really like to know what that solid plan is to get COVID under control. Is this a secret, supranatural plan that no one else in the world has thought about? Please, since you brought this to attention, enlighten me.
Hi Leslie! Thank you for your comment and that’s a great question! I think NPR has a comprehensive side by side comparison of the two candidates’ plans here. You can also read Biden’s full plan on his campaign website here. Approaching his potential second term, Trump has not released his action plan for COVID-19 on his campaign website — but if you have resources you’d like to share where that plan is more detailed, I’d love to read it. Thank you for joining the discussion!
Oh gosh! I remember that day four years ago. I was watching the election live in the HS Library here at HKIS just like I am now. I was so anxious I called my mother like a kid for support. I was scared and it was my instinct to call her to help reassure me. Funny! But I needed to hear her voice. It’s early now. I can tell you I won’t be getting much done today as I watch as the answers unfold. It’s always odd as it’s November 4th over here. Thank you for working the polls today Krystal. And thank you for using your platform in such a positive way during this time. You’re a true inspiration!
Love,
Annie
I totally agree. When asked who I was voting for, I always answered “for decency” — my family is connected to Joe Biden and has been for years. He knew my dad very well and told me and my siblings at dinner one night that he could not have won his first US Senate seat from Delaware if it were not for my dad who was very involved in the Democratic party and working on his behalf to get elected. I am also voting for Joe for the other reasons you posted. Congratulations for taking a stand! I have friends that I can discuss politics with — friends that I cannot! So, thank you.