Unlike some other publications, here at Tidings of Magpies, we’re not afraid to throw our massive political clout behind a certain candidate. We are making the only possible choice a rational person could make. We are making the only choice a person who values honesty, kindness, empathy, and decency could make.

In truth, I am almost sick with worry. I do not exaggerate when I say that this feels like a battle between good and evil and I know for a fact it is a matter of life and death for many people. After the election in 2016, the world felt darker, and I felt a great deal of despair. People told me I was overreacting, that we needed to give him a chance, that it couldn’t be as bad as we feared. It was worse. In the obvious ways, sure, but more in the subtle ways. The rolling back of regulations, the dismantling of the justice system. And if it happens again it will be worse, still. We all know that. It’s glaringly obvious and it is proudly shouted for all the world to hear. The hate will be worse, the violence will be worse, we all know that.

That’s the most frightening and saddening thing to me. We all know all of this. It’s not hidden, it’s not seen as something shameful — people are proud of all of it, happy about it. They believe hate will appeal to people. And sadly, it seems to be doing so. People want to believe the lies, no matter how obviously false they are, and be stirred to entitled rage and spurred into violent and uncivil acts.

It feels stupid for me to talk about this, because we all know it so well. It should feel foolish to talk about this, and it would if half the country wasn’t supporting this evil. After a lifetime of proudly declaring himself a racist and a rapist, and nine years of doing so from the biggest platform in the country, if you support him you are a racist and you are not offended by rape. You’re teaching your children that, too. It makes me sad that at this point in our history half of the country is declaring themselves in this way. Openly saying that honesty, empathy, and kindness don’t matter.

When I was in high school, our teacher played us a clip of Joseph Welch speaking to McCarthy. I was very moved by the idea that a quiet rational voice calling out a bully could shut that bully down. Like Scout cheerfully calling out the members of an angry mob by name and pointing out how they’re all connected, which makes them so ashamed that they disperse. Those connections matter so much, in our communities, in our country. I’m sad to think that we can’t have a “Have you no sense of decency?” moment, because it seems we don’t value decency any more.

But if anyone can call out the bullies, I believe it is Kamala Harris. She has the intelligence, the eloquence, and the compassion to turn the tide in this country. I don’t believe she sees things as us vs them, black or white. She makes me feel hopeful through the darkness. I have loved her since this moment, and I can’t really explain why it meant so much to me. As important as it is to call out the bullies, it’s equally important to listen to the bullied and to not let their voices be silenced.

This morning I went out early after a night of troubled sleep and stood on a field at the edge of town with my dog running around me. The sky was rosy on one side, melting into the bronze and copper trees. On the other side was a perfect rainbow that felt like it was holding together all the earth. I stood and watched it, waiting for it to fade, but it didn’t. I watched it all the way home until the sun fully rose and the sky cleared. It hadn’t rained once in October, but a light sweet rain started to fall.

Whatever happens on Tuesday and in the days and months after, I’m sure it will be dark and messy and exhausting. Let’s choose light. Let’s choose creativity and connectivity. Let’s choose honesty, empathy, kindness, and joy.

Phew. Didn’t mean to go on so long. I’m more grateful than ever for Tidings of Magpies, and the beautiful art and writing that people let us share, which gives me hope for all things. Thank you.