Today’s post is going to be different.
I have never once commented on politics on my site but after a weekend that left me feeling heartbroken and sick to my stomach, I feel it is important to leverage my platform. Small as it may be, I do have one and while I had another post scheduled for today, I couldn’t stay silent any longer and this felt far more important today than something related to fashion.
This weekend was the first time I felt ashamed to be an American. I felt disbelief that this was our reality. Our country’s history has been woven by immigrants and we’ve come a long way to be more tolerant of others -no matter their religion, their race, the color of their skin or who they love. We still have a long uphill battle but this weekend’s executive order felt like an unbelievable step backwards in the pursuit of human rights.
It is so disheartening to see so many that remain ignorant and filled with hate. It is unfathomable to watch people who served for our military and risked their lives as translators be detained. It is heartbreaking for people to be unable to visit their families and for green card holders who have been thoroughly vetted through often year+ long processes to be turned away on U.S. soil. It is preposterous for people to believe institutions like The New York Times are going against journalistic oaths and spreading fake news. It is devastating for people who are fleeing violence so bad that we can’t even imagine it to be striped of hope.
As an American you are entitled to your opinion, but you are also responsible for being educated on the issues at hand. If you are sitting passively by and watching these events unfold and not determining where you stand on these matters or what you can do to help, it is a form of acceptance at the current state of affairs.
I took action yesterday by donating to the ACLU, deleting Uber, going to mass and sending up prayers for all those who need them and I’m beginning to speak my mind more openly vs. standing idly by. I will no longer be silent on social media and I will begin to fight in ways I can to play my part.
I want to live in a country where I feel safe, where I feel proud and where people unite together to make progress happen. This ban is shortsighted and executed poorly. We must remember we are so much stronger when united. When we act out of kindness and love rather than hate.
I believe in human rights. I believe in women’s rights. I believe in love. I believe in acceptance. I believe in tolerance. I believe in compassion.
Tomorrow I will return to regular content but I wanted to take today to press pause, speak up and reflect on the path forward. Sending love to each and every one of my readers…I am grateful for you and thank you for reading this.
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Thank you for using your voice and sharing your thoughts in such a beautiful, honest way. I think it’s absolutely necessary for those with a platform to at least acknowledge what’s going on, offer small acts to take action, and to take a stand. Thank you for doing so. You’re amazing.
Thank you, friend! And thank you for always setting a good example of speaking up + speaking out.
Thank you so much for speaking up. I never comment but I feel so strongly about this myself, and I’m so grateful for your beautiful words.
Nadya – thank you for the comment – it means a lot and we are indeed all stronger when we unite and speak up together!
The silence from some of my favorite bloggers has been deafening. Thank you for this post.
I’m off to call my Indiana representatives.
I felt the same this weekend, Whitney! The incessant promotion of unimportant things all weekend by some of my favorite bloggers only fueled me to hit Publish this morning! Thank you for doing your part in Indiana – your voice is so important!
Love this! So glad we got to walk and talk yesterday in this tolerant and amazing city we call home. Love you longtime.
Lucky to have friends like you to be able to share challenging and thought-provoking conversations with on the issues at hand. <3 you!
Thank you for speaking up.
Thank you for the encouragement, Maureen! So appreciate the comment.
Proud of you.
Thanks, Meaghan!
Your post was very thoughtfully and eloquently written. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, challenging us to be better informed, better educated and most importantly, to choose love and acceptance. We have come a long way as a society. Many of those changes have happened in my lifetime and have made me proud to be an American also. Thank you for reminding me to ‘act’ like the proud American I am. Respecting our differences and pooling our strengths equals success at every level.
Nancy thank you so much for deeply understanding the points I was trying to make! I know we will witness so much more in the years ahead but it is so important that those of us who have been previously mostly inactive begin to stand up and help ignite positive change!
Thanks Meghan… not sure i’ve ever commented before. Proud of you for speaking out!
Thanks for continuing to be so active in fighting for what’s right, Carrie! You set a great example for those who know you!
Yes to all of this. Everything I’ve been sharing on my blog/social media is so trivial compared to what is unfolding around us. It’s incredibly telling when people stay silent. Now is not that time. I feel like it’s my obligation to educate myself and to speak up. Thank you for sharing your point of view, I think it’s so needed!
YES, JESS! Thank you for this comment and for reflecting more on what we can all do with our platforms!
Love you. You da best. ??
Love you!! Thanks for always being a guiding light in speaking up and doing work that is important.
I have never commented before but am so encouraged by your words I wanted to take a moment and let you know. Thank you for being courageous and so eloquently saying what needed to me said. It inspires me to do more!
Susan the fact that you have been inspired to take action has completely made my day! THANK YOU for it and thank you for being a reader – both mean so much to me!
Thank you for your words and call to action! I’ve been thinking about donating to the ACLU, and I just did because you shared the link.
Go, Katie, go! So glad you took action and donated!! Thank you for reading and getting engaged!
Thank you so much for this, Meghan! I’ve been struggling with this same issue all weekend. Like you, I kept my political opinions off social media, but I just can not do that any longer. While contemplating how I want to approach expressing my political views on social media, I came across this post. Honestly, this is just what I needed to read. Like you, I believe in compassion and respect for others, but because I’m so angry and frustrated about everything I have a hard time figuring out how to talk about this online without sounding hurt and defeated. You’ve given me a concrete example of how to speak up, with love and compassion, and I really appreciate that.
Mikayla, thank you, thank you! It can be so hard to articulate how we feel but what I kept coming back to was: kindness. We can do so much with that sentiment and I’m so glad you found my words helpful and encouraging. Thank you for taking the time to comment and especially for looking into how you can express your voice – it is powerful and should be heard!
Couldn’t agree more that silence at this point = support. It is time to take a stand and say NO. Thank you for making your position known.
Thank you for the support & your action, Meagan!!
Proud of you for putting yourself out there and sharing your thoughts. I’m one of those ladies who holds my beliefs quietly and you know what: sometimes there’s just too much to say to keep it to yourself. A whole bunch of whispers (through blog posts, little prayers and hand written action) come together to make one hell of a yell. Keep adding your whispers to the mix- collectively we’ll make something good happen.
I love this metaphor of whispers, LP! Let’s make them louder and louder – thank you for doing your part through your talent!
My respect for you just up ten fold! Thank you for speaking up!
Thank you for the acknowledgement, Rin! So appreciate the comment!
Thank you for this. Times are too scary right now for silence. We all need to take a stand.
Yes, Erin, YES!
Thank your for your words!
Thank you, Sonja for taking the time to comment!
Beautiful post and thank you for speaking out! I’m usually a silent observer as i can’t always find the right words to express myself. Your post is so empowering + inspiring <3
Corina, thank you so much! I’m so glad you found the post inspiring. Remember that sometimes actions can speak louder than words, too!
These past few weeks I have found your blog to be a nice respite from all the other news that I have trouble turning away from. But I am so glad to see this post, as it always helps to know others are feeling the same way you are! Well said, Meghan!
I have been thinking a lot lately about what brands and companies I give my business to. I would love if you can continue to highlight businesses that are founded/run by women, immigrants, the LGBTQ community or other underrepresented groups. Or contribute some of their proceeds to these important causes or, at the very least, use a diverse population when advertising. I know many of my friends would also find this information helpful!
I LOVE the idea of being more critical about where we are spending our hard earned money. It’s one of the reasons I heavily promote and believe in brands like Everlane who are doing so much good with their commerce. I’m so glad you continue to find wit & whimsy a destination worth returning to and I will think more about how I can profile more people & companies doing good!
Thanks for speaking up! As a reader of various blogs, it is really disheartening to see so many staying silent. It is okay to have an opinion and to voice it, whatever side of the spectrum it falls on. That is what America is supposed to be about isn’t? It is difficult and scary, but my heart tells me to speak up for those who can’t and to stay informed of what is going on rather than avoid it and pretend like it isn’t happening.
Here’s hoping for a better, safer, more united, loving future!
Completely agree, Meg. I’m right there with you on playing whatever part we can to ensure a better future – for all! Thanks for such a thoughtful comment xx