Thomas West: Facing our fears

This review is by Thomas West from Manchester. He’s a father of four, an openly gay Army veteran, and the co-author of “A Children’s Book About Gay Parents,” which he wrote with his husband to celebrate diverse family structures. He serves on Manchester’s planning commission and was recently elected as a justice of the peace.

Election season is over, and many of us are grappling with a complex mix of emotions including relief, disappointment, hope, fear, anger, and uncertainty. As I reflect on the results, I personally can’t help but feel a deep sense of fear and disappointment. Fear for the well-being of minorities and historically marginalized communities whose lives are deeply affected by the results of these elections. And frustration with how oblivious our nation can be to the real-world impact of political choices on our neighbors, our friends, and even our own families.

This election was more than just another moment in our nation’s history; For many among us, this has immediate and personal consequences. This felt like a failure for women, children, and countless hard-working immigrants who contributed so much to our country. I know people who are seeking urgent court orders for a name change, scrambling to update their identification documents, and even discussing international or underground methods of accessing basic medical care. Some explore job opportunities abroad because they are unsure of their future in a country they call home. These are not abstract fears; these are real actions taken by real people in our own communities in response to policies that threaten their fundamental rights and safety.

The dangerous rhetoric we hear not only creates division; It opens the door to those who want to harm us, not only nationally but here in Vermont. In my own home, we actively discuss what we call the “red line,” the point at which we must make difficult decisions to protect our children. While we hope it never gets to this point, I highly recommend everyone have similar conversations with those closest to them. Now is the time to be vigilant, engage with your neighbors, and collectively protect our community and values.

It is also disheartening to realize that many people are unaware or indifferent to the struggles faced by the most vulnerable among us. The election results have made clear that there is a disconnect between the ideals we teach and the actions we take as a society. We can agree to disagree on the steps we must take to achieve our goals and desires, but we must draw the line when those steps violate anyone’s basic human rights. This border should unite us all, regardless of our political leanings.

Our children are also watching and feeling the burden of these times. The morning after the election, my two nine-year-olds woke up heartbroken and, frankly, scared. They asked me if their father would still be allowed to stay married and worried if they would be separated from the family they knew and loved. Those were their exact words as we sat down to breakfast the next day, along with real-life examples I heard from families in my community in Vermont.

As a parent, it was heartbreaking to see their fear; It was a stark reminder of how political decisions ripple through the hearts of our youngest. But — and this is incredibly important — it has also strengthened my resolve to move forward with hope and work toward a community where every child feels safe, seen, and loved.

Now more than ever it’s important that we all get more involved. So, get involved in something that connects you to others; It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it helps you stay connected with your neighbors. Being part of a community strengthens our bonds and reinforces the democratic values ​​we all cherish in Vermont.

I think the most important thing we can do as a society in the fight against external forces is to focus on the different organizations and groups that make up the fabric of our society. These are places where most of us are busy; our children’s schools, non-profit organizations or places of worship.

I call on each of you to stand up and take action. Let’s connect with our neighbors, engage in difficult conversations, and work together to defend and sustain our shared values. Now is the time to be proactive, organize and make our voices heard.

Together, we can turn our frustration into the fuel of real, positive change, ensuring our community is a place where everyone feels seen and valued.