A Beacon in this Dark Night
Whether you woke up last Wednesday morning or stayed up all night to see the result of the presidential election, it seems clear that our community currently remains in a state of either shock or profound despair. As I dropped off my son at school the morning after, we talked about what this all meant, how we will live, what will change, and how to move forward with this sadness.
I'll share with you all what I said to him – humans have survived ruthless kings throughout history. Although there is nothing good to be said about the suffering they endured, we too will survive this king of white supremacy, corruption, and greed.
I have no illusions about how deeply this will set back the climate movement, not just in this country but around the globe. As history's biggest emitter, the United States bears a huge responsibility for the misery that is unfolding across our planet. But like the culprit who holds on to a lie long after it is evident that they are wrong, as a nation we are about to double down on misguided historical decisions.
As an immigrant, it is personally devastating to think that my chosen country is not at all what it seemed to me when I first arrived. I came to America filled with the hopes and promise of a world where anyone, especially a Black African woman, could become a leader and pave the way for others like myself. I come from a country where I saw autocracy in action–one dictator after another chipping away at our autonomy, our resolve, and our livelihoods. I know what it is like to live under the boot.
I say that because as horrible as it is, I remain as unyielding as I was then and undaunted by the task of resistance and the resolve to stand immovable on the conviction that every human deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness and justice. That is what we are fighting for. That is why our approach to innovation and technology at VertueLab leads with the human experience and our ability to be resilient and adapt to our changing planet, in community.
In a very different outcome, Washington state’s victory against a proposed repeal (Prop 2117) of the Climate Commitment Act is a testament to what is possible when coalitions are built around a shared future. Across the Pacific Northwest, we are marshaling our resources to ensure that we can build a solid place for us to weather this big storm. And we will continue to be a beacon in this country where no human will be untouched by the magnitude of climate events that loom, and soon they will look to us for leadership. We will be ready.
For now, hold your loved ones tight and stand strong. There is nowhere safer than where you are loved.
In solidarity,
//Aina