A Plea For Peace Post-Presidential Election
The last four years have been some of the most contentious in the history of the United States. The current President and 2020 Presidential Campaign have elicited some very strong feelings. Some people are legitimately concerned we are heading for another Civil War. Realistically, either President Trump or former Vice President Biden will win the Presidency. It’s fair to say a significant number, perhaps even a majority, of Americans will be unhappy with the results of the election, whenever we get the results, and who will occupy the White House for the next four years. Regardless of who wins, and who you want to win, my plea is for peace.
After the 2016 election, protests and rioting occurred. Even though many of the protests and riots since have not been directly related to the occupant of the White House, protests and riots have been a hallmark of the Trump Presidency this entire four years.
Protesting is a legitimate, peaceful expression and should be protected and respected. Rioting on the other hand, is violent. People get hurt. Property is stolen and damaged. Protesting is peaceful. Rioting is not.
No matter who wins, people will be unhappy. Protests are almost certain to happen. Please protest peacefully if you choose to protest. Respect the health, safety, and property of others.
A Fork In The Road, And A Choice
For many reasons, our nation is experiencing rough going. There’s a fork in the road ahead of us. One path will take us towards more contention, tribalism, violence, and potentially civil war. The other path leads to national healing; people getting along better; and people experiencing feelings of love, patience, kindness, and respect towards each other. These two paths are not about which candidate wins the election- they are about us and how we react to the election and treat each other.
Whichever way we go, the road is likely going to continue to be rough, at least for a while. Please, be peaceful. Help heal. Work towards unity. Be respectful. Have, feel, and show love. Please avoid dehumanizing others or treating people as if they or their opinions are unwanted, unvalued, or illegitimate.
A Plea For Peace
When people show us love, kindness, and respect, when they have an attitude of peace, please respond in kind. If someone interacts with us from a place of anger, prejudice, contention, or hatred, turn the other cheek and treat them with peace, kindness, patience and love anyway. Treating each other with patience, kindness, peace, love, and respect will help us avoid contention. Treating each other this way will also help us be more unified and facilitate healing.
If someone shares concerns with you, be kind and respectful. You may not understand where they are coming from or agree with their perspective, but as you listen, you might begin to understand, and you might even begin to agree.
People generally want the same things. What is different is how we want to get to those goals. Listen to others, especially those with different perspectives and opinions. Connect with them through caring.
Please have peace in your heart. Be peaceful in your actions and interactions. Treat everyone with patience, kindness, respect, and love no matter your differences and no matter who wins the election. This is my plea regarding this election- a plea for peace.
Garrett Leeds is the founder of the Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness Project
If you would like to support the Life, Liberty, And Pursuit Of Happiness Project, please consider contributing to LLPHP via GoFundMe
