"Like many New Yorkers, I’ve been reflecting since Tuesday night, and like everyone, I don’t have the answers. But I do have questions and conversations we need to honestly reckon with – now, and in the days and years to come.
"As appalling as the messages of demagoguery, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, bigotry, hatred and a rejection of facts and science are. As much as those ideas and policies are aimed at hurting women, people of color, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, low-income communities, religious and ethnic minorities – people who have already long been hurting. It is inescapable that over 72 million Americans voted for that.
"I know that some of those millions – too many – truly believed in all of the dangerous ideals of this campaign. I also know that others ignored or excused these realities to justify their vote. As with similar moments in history, I know so many fell into the trap of otherizing – of turning blame and hate on groups they perceived as lower on the rungs of social status. The ability to say “at least I'm not them” is intoxicating, especially when the leader selling this message ties it to patriotism. Fearful of their own precarious position, some turned resentment on those with even less. We can’t ignore why people have these fears, but neither can we excuse the outcome.
"I’m sure people who supported Donald Trump have many reasons for doing so, and yet those reasons do not negate the damage of this moment and the many painful moments to come, especially for many of the most marginalized communities in our city. Downplaying this damage only allows the incoming harm to fester and grow – so at least the mayor finally saw fit to mention Kamala Harris’ name yesterday.
"That people chose this, most with full knowledge of the implications, is something we have to reckon with as we move forward to protect those who need it most. And we can’t do so by self-righteously dismissing or ignoring millions of Americans or standing by status quo messages and messengers as we have for years. This, combined with anti-Blackness and misogyny that has always existed, plunged all of us backwards on Tuesday, including everyone who voted to align with a societal “us” at the expense of “them.”
"Finally, and not to be dismissed, nearly 70 million of us voted against Donald Trump and all he represents, and we have a mission and obligation to stand with the communities we know are most under threat. We also have a mission to show those who voted for this harm that there is another way.
"There have always been two Americas – those who use their power to pit people against one another and accumulate even more, and those who do what they can, with what power they have, to give that power to the people. As a person and as Public Advocate, I’m proud to be in that second group, and I will continue to fight for the safety and freedom of New Yorkers, the values they hold, and the change they deserve."
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