“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.

I never thought I would fear the loss of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I never thought I would lose my rights here in this country, taking steps backward after so much progress had been made for so many marginalized people.

I fear the loss of my healthcare, and disability aid because of the significant cuts planned as well as disability rights and access due to cuts in the ADA. I fear the loss of my rights as a woman to have healthcare access for my body. I fear discrimination and loss of rights as part of the LGBTQ+ community. I fear the loss of democracy in our country.

I fear for those I love, for trans people losing their rights to healthcare, and choices for their bodies, and facing increased discrimination and hate. I fear for immigrants facing the threats of deportation, discrimination, and racism when so many of them were doing everything they could to seek a better, safer life. Even those who are here legally, I fear discrimination and racism based on assumptions and fears.

I fear for my black friends who are already experiencing increased racism from people who now feel empowered in their hate.

I fear for the environment, that reductions in the EPA will put so many threatened and endangered species at risk when their futures are put in the hands of the whims of corporations wanting to build where they wish without limitation.

The list goes on, veterans losing their rights, schools losing funding. History not being taught, christian ideals forced on non-christians. Books banned.

The protections, rights, and programs that protected us are threatened to be stripped away by those who were supposed to protect us.

I’m not the only one fearing their rights, safety, freedom, and future being taken away in the next few years.

Over the past week, I’ve heard so many different responses and thoughts on the results of the election. At this point, it all goes beyond political differences when people’s very lives are threatened.

We need to fight for our rights as much as we can. We must protect one another, and stand up for one another especially those who are different from us. We must not excuse hate, discrimination, racism, and fascism. We must fight for the nonhuman species who will lose government protection. So now, more than ever, we need to protect and look out for one another.

For those who haven’t realized how much we are threatened, project 2025 lays it all out. Read it, educate yourself, but please take care of your mental health as you do. Please feel free to reach out, I am a safe place if you feel threatened and need resources, I’m here. We need to support each other now more than ever.