On Trust
I have several friends and family members, including some very close to me, who are publicly talking about leaving the country. They are white, well-educated, non-immigrants with a myriad of financial, familial, and social supports. This behavior isn’t just morally fraught; those packing their proverbial bags are signaling at a vulnerable time that they are not committed to our collective well-being. They are not—as Fred Rogers encourages us to look for in emergency situations—one of the “helpers.”
Historically, authoritarian regimes undermine and erode people’s sense of trust in one another. As we all reel from the fallout of the election, I urge us to reconsider our roles in publicly angsting which can not only devalue our trust in individuals but also chip away at our ability to envision a better future while knowing who we can depend on to get there.
I’m not encouraging toxic positivity. I understand there are very real consequences to people’s lives, livelihoods, bodily autonomy, and that of their children due to this election. But I propose that one of the very few things we can control right now is our attitude and behaviors. For me, I’m bookmarking the people we can trust when things inevitably get difficult over the next four years. And though they may not be as vocal about it as I am, others are subconsciously searching for these mental life rafts too. I want as many of you as possible to be within those circles of trust with us to co-create a future that we all deserve.
I’m here to talk if you have any strong reactions to these ideas. I’m also listing some recommended links below:
