Accept Defeat, But Don’t Lose Hope

By Willie Brown

“We must accept the results of this election.”  These are not the words that I and many of you want to hear.  But as difficult as it was to watch Vice President Kamala Harris deliver her concession speech, we must be adults and continue to fight the good fight.

I won’t get into all the reasons I believe this election confirms that America is headed in the wrong direction.  Nor will I reiterate everything that is wrong about Donald Trump returning to the White House.  Frankly, I’m exhausted about striving to live a quality life in a country that I love, a country which doesn’t seem to love me back—no matter what I do.

How in the world could a man with 34 felonies—many committed against the United States—even be allowed to run for President?  I digress. . .

Vice President Harris said in her speech from Howard University, “The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But hear me when I say, the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.”

At the moment, these words may fall flat.  You may no longer believe in America’s promise because for many Black and Brown people—who comprise the majority of Inglewood Today readers—that promise keeps slipping further and further away.

If you’re disappointed, angry, frustrated or depressed, just know you’re not alone.  And, it’s perfectly okay to feel the way you feel.  Allow yourself to rest, vent, do what you need to do to get yourself together.  Just refrain from violence, as that will not change a thing.

As those of us who voted for Harris seek to make sense of what has happened, I think it will do us all a world of good to take a collective deep breath.  Let go of the mental and emotional stresses that you have been carrying during this election season.

Then pick up the pieces, revisit your goals, and know that God is way bigger than Donald Trump.  Don’t lose the faith!  God will always make a way for his people, no matter what.  See what you can do to re-ignite the promise so that it does not die out entirely.  

If you donated your time or money to the Harris-Walz campaign; if you voted for her and encouraged others to vote, just know you did all that you could do.  So at least be proud of that.   It’s time now, to decompress, hug a loved one, play with your pets, find something your soul loves.  Take a break, have your moment, then lace up your shoes and get back in the race.

There are still things that need to be done if we are ever to claim our rightful place in this society.  And, as you know, nothing we achieve is ever handed to us.  You are a valuable person, and very much needed.  We must move forward, even if the path seems cloudy.  Now may not be the time for a President Harris, but nothing lasts forever and as she says, “If we fight, we will win.”