I drew this a couple of days ago –when the election results were becoming clearer, but had not yet been announced by every media outlet.

I felt pretty sure that Biden would win, but I was heartbroken regardless, because it was so close, and for me, it wasn’t really about Biden winning as much as it was about seeing the majority of our country repudiate what I feel is a lack of compassion and basic human decency. When I saw it was so closely split, it changed my view of things going forward.

This country has hate of all kinds, it has racism, it has white supremacy groups. But at its core, I believe our United States are still made mostly of good people. People who even in terrible misunderstanding and disagreement do not want to fight. People who do love each other, in spite of seeing the other side make choices that they consider to go against whatever their basic morals are (don’t fool yourself, both sides feel this regardless of who is right, and you know where I stand myself.)

It’s easy enough to say that the viewpoints on each side cannot begin to be compared, and that one side is quite right to be demonized by the other. Unfortunately, it really will get us nowhere. It REALLY will happen again if we don’t reach out to our neighbor, no matter where they stand, and ask: “What made you choose this? I’ll listen to you. Tell me what you are afraid of. I’ll tell you my fears. Let’s find a common middle ground.”

So much of the hate in this country is rooted in fear. Seeking to see eye-to-eye with someone who holds what may be an abhorrent viewpoint to you (and to many) is a bitter pill to swallow. But I feel it is the only way forward if we are ever going to heal.

Most people aren’t a lost cause. Neither is our nation. Most Americans are good people. Believe that, and we will be united again.

🍄 You may NOT copy, color, reference, repost or use this artwork in any way or claim it as your own. Copyright is © 2021 by Marina Neira McKinzie.