My family (parents etc.) voted for Trump also. I am not hardcore political even though I agree that underlying it all, politics are in everything we do. It's hard because I know many good people who voted for Trump, many of whom my closest friends are now openly vilifying. I hate that this causes such divisiveness. It's hard.
Just today for example a woman I know casually in our community was at the same mechanic shop I was at. She was sitting in the waiting area on her computer (I was on my computer there too.) Suddenly I heard her talking on her speaker on her phone with another car shop seeing if she could get her car in today. The mechanic at the shop we were at said, "Hey why are you calling someone else?" She said, "I just don't like the vibe here." She then went on to tell them that she heard them whispering about Trump and how they were happy he won. (I had not heard a thing from them at all. She must have way better hearing than me.) The mechanic said, "Okay, are you saying we can't have a conversation?" She said, "No, you can. But I can take my business elsewhere also." They said okay and that they would pull her car around for her. It's challenging...because I've been going to this shop my whole life, they are fair, trustworthy, and always always help us out in any way they can. They donate re-built cars to needy families, they are some of the most charitable people in town. And yet, because they voted for Trump, this woman won't bring her business to them. I totally get where she is coming from right now; however, these are not bad people and I just hope this isn't how we start to see each other (i.e., he's the bad guy because he voted republican, etc.)
I grew up in an extremely conservative town. I understand complicated feelings around people you thought you respected voting for Trump so I can try and put words to why so many of us are no longer able to tacitly accept the “they’re not bad people” sentiment. Further context: I am a medical student. My life and my patients’ lives are directly impacted by legislation and judicial decisions wrought by that man and his party.
As a direct result of Trump’s presidency, DECADES of environmental law and precedent was destroyed. There has been more than a THREE HUNDRED percent increase in women and underage girls dying because they can’t access necessary reproductive healthcare. Black, brown, and people of color are at huge risk in this country because of the absolutely heinous things he has said and people agree with. That man was ENDORSED by the KKK.
Going into this election, we told people our honest fears - Elect Trump and women, girls and people all over this nation will die as a direct result. People offered stories of their vulnerabilities, their fears, their hopes for the future in order to try and convince America that electing Donald Trump means that half of us are terrified. They elected him anyway.
So no. A lot of people aren’t accepting “he’s a good person” anymore. That “good” person voted for a man endorsed by the KKK. That “good” person voted for a man that supports judges and legislation that has forced sixteen year olds to bleed out in parking lots because they can’t get an abortion. I understand there is nuance in all things, but at the end of the day half of America chose greed and cruelty over women’s lives, and many of us will no longer tacitly accept or support those that we know do so.
the woman destroyed by simone de beauvoir – this collection of three novellas examines the inner lives of women grappling with betrayal, loneliness, and the loss of identity. through stories of infidelity, estrangement, and aging, de beauvoir explores themes of existential despair and the societal pressures placed on women, revealing the complexities of self-worth and resilience.
real queer america by samantha allen – allen’s memoir and travelogue follows her journey across the american south and midwest, highlighting the lives and experiences of queer individuals in conservative states. blending humor with poignant storytelling, she paints a vibrant picture of queer resilience and community in unexpected places, challenging stereotypes about what it means to be queer in america.
i who have never known men by jacqueline harpman – set in a dystopian future, this novel follows a young woman raised in captivity with a group of other women who have no memories of the outside world. when they escape, the protagonist confronts the nature of freedom, desire, and identity in an empty world. harpman’s story is haunting and philosophical, exploring human connection and the existential weight of isolation.
women, race & class by angela davis – davis’s classic work explores the intersections of gender, race, and class in american history, focusing on the struggles faced by women of color. examining issues from slavery to the civil rights movement, she critiques how mainstream feminism often excludes marginalized voices, urging for a more inclusive approach to justice and equality.
your silence will not protect you by audre lorde – this collection of essays, speeches, and poems by lorde addresses issues of race, gender, sexuality, and activism. lorde’s writing is powerful and unapologetic, encouraging marginalized individuals to speak out and challenge systemic oppression. her words are both a call to action and a celebration of resilience and self-expression.
self defense: a philosophy of violence by elsa dorlin – dorlin examines the philosophical history of self-defense, questioning how societies have justified or criminalized violence for marginalized groups. drawing from examples like colonial resistance and feminist self-defense, she explores how self-protection can be a form of political power and resistance against oppression.
when we cease to understand the world by benjamin labatut – this genre-blurring work mixes historical fact and fictionalized narrative to explore the lives of scientists and mathematicians whose groundbreaking work has pushed the limits of human knowledge. labatut examines how their discoveries led to both enlightenment and destruction, reflecting on the moral and existential weight of scientific progress.
miss major speaks: conversations with a black trans revolutionary by miss major griffin-gracy – in this collection of interviews and reflections, miss major, a black transgender elder and activist, shares her experiences fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. her voice is both fiery and compassionate, offering an unfiltered critique of systemic oppression while celebrating resilience, community, and the ongoing fight for trans liberation.
couldn't agree more. it just reminds me of " In the dark times will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing.About the dark times." on a side note, these are actually such good books!!
My family (parents etc.) voted for Trump also. I am not hardcore political even though I agree that underlying it all, politics are in everything we do. It's hard because I know many good people who voted for Trump, many of whom my closest friends are now openly vilifying. I hate that this causes such divisiveness. It's hard.
It’s very difficult to know how to move forward from here.
Just today for example a woman I know casually in our community was at the same mechanic shop I was at. She was sitting in the waiting area on her computer (I was on my computer there too.) Suddenly I heard her talking on her speaker on her phone with another car shop seeing if she could get her car in today. The mechanic at the shop we were at said, "Hey why are you calling someone else?" She said, "I just don't like the vibe here." She then went on to tell them that she heard them whispering about Trump and how they were happy he won. (I had not heard a thing from them at all. She must have way better hearing than me.) The mechanic said, "Okay, are you saying we can't have a conversation?" She said, "No, you can. But I can take my business elsewhere also." They said okay and that they would pull her car around for her. It's challenging...because I've been going to this shop my whole life, they are fair, trustworthy, and always always help us out in any way they can. They donate re-built cars to needy families, they are some of the most charitable people in town. And yet, because they voted for Trump, this woman won't bring her business to them. I totally get where she is coming from right now; however, these are not bad people and I just hope this isn't how we start to see each other (i.e., he's the bad guy because he voted republican, etc.)
I grew up in an extremely conservative town. I understand complicated feelings around people you thought you respected voting for Trump so I can try and put words to why so many of us are no longer able to tacitly accept the “they’re not bad people” sentiment. Further context: I am a medical student. My life and my patients’ lives are directly impacted by legislation and judicial decisions wrought by that man and his party.
As a direct result of Trump’s presidency, DECADES of environmental law and precedent was destroyed. There has been more than a THREE HUNDRED percent increase in women and underage girls dying because they can’t access necessary reproductive healthcare. Black, brown, and people of color are at huge risk in this country because of the absolutely heinous things he has said and people agree with. That man was ENDORSED by the KKK.
Going into this election, we told people our honest fears - Elect Trump and women, girls and people all over this nation will die as a direct result. People offered stories of their vulnerabilities, their fears, their hopes for the future in order to try and convince America that electing Donald Trump means that half of us are terrified. They elected him anyway.
So no. A lot of people aren’t accepting “he’s a good person” anymore. That “good” person voted for a man endorsed by the KKK. That “good” person voted for a man that supports judges and legislation that has forced sixteen year olds to bleed out in parking lots because they can’t get an abortion. I understand there is nuance in all things, but at the end of the day half of America chose greed and cruelty over women’s lives, and many of us will no longer tacitly accept or support those that we know do so.
Thanks for sharing. Would it be possible to share the list of books for those of us not on TikTok?
absolutely!
the woman destroyed by simone de beauvoir – this collection of three novellas examines the inner lives of women grappling with betrayal, loneliness, and the loss of identity. through stories of infidelity, estrangement, and aging, de beauvoir explores themes of existential despair and the societal pressures placed on women, revealing the complexities of self-worth and resilience.
real queer america by samantha allen – allen’s memoir and travelogue follows her journey across the american south and midwest, highlighting the lives and experiences of queer individuals in conservative states. blending humor with poignant storytelling, she paints a vibrant picture of queer resilience and community in unexpected places, challenging stereotypes about what it means to be queer in america.
i who have never known men by jacqueline harpman – set in a dystopian future, this novel follows a young woman raised in captivity with a group of other women who have no memories of the outside world. when they escape, the protagonist confronts the nature of freedom, desire, and identity in an empty world. harpman’s story is haunting and philosophical, exploring human connection and the existential weight of isolation.
women, race & class by angela davis – davis’s classic work explores the intersections of gender, race, and class in american history, focusing on the struggles faced by women of color. examining issues from slavery to the civil rights movement, she critiques how mainstream feminism often excludes marginalized voices, urging for a more inclusive approach to justice and equality.
your silence will not protect you by audre lorde – this collection of essays, speeches, and poems by lorde addresses issues of race, gender, sexuality, and activism. lorde’s writing is powerful and unapologetic, encouraging marginalized individuals to speak out and challenge systemic oppression. her words are both a call to action and a celebration of resilience and self-expression.
self defense: a philosophy of violence by elsa dorlin – dorlin examines the philosophical history of self-defense, questioning how societies have justified or criminalized violence for marginalized groups. drawing from examples like colonial resistance and feminist self-defense, she explores how self-protection can be a form of political power and resistance against oppression.
when we cease to understand the world by benjamin labatut – this genre-blurring work mixes historical fact and fictionalized narrative to explore the lives of scientists and mathematicians whose groundbreaking work has pushed the limits of human knowledge. labatut examines how their discoveries led to both enlightenment and destruction, reflecting on the moral and existential weight of scientific progress.
miss major speaks: conversations with a black trans revolutionary by miss major griffin-gracy – in this collection of interviews and reflections, miss major, a black transgender elder and activist, shares her experiences fighting for the rights of marginalized communities. her voice is both fiery and compassionate, offering an unfiltered critique of systemic oppression while celebrating resilience, community, and the ongoing fight for trans liberation.
couldn't agree more. it just reminds me of " In the dark times will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing.About the dark times." on a side note, these are actually such good books!!