Standing Tall and Proud for Kamala in a Red Town
Displaying my support never felt more important.
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When you read this, the presidential debate will be over, and each side will have declared victory. That’s just how these things roll. But what happened at the debate? Prosecutor versus convicted felon—who dominated the room? Did the moderators manage their jobs for the entire hour and a half? Did the Republican candidate lurk ominously behind Kamala as he did with Hillary?
You know the answers by now, but what remains certain is that the next 54 days will be filled with tension, anxiety, and fear about the future.
As much as I detest Trump, I must credit him for propelling me out of my political disengagement.
His presidency forced me to care, learn, and take action. Since 2016, I've been on an eight-year-long cram session, relearning civics lessons I'd long forgotten. This time, though, the teachings are no longer conceptual. They’re personal, and I finally understand how the three branches of the government are supposed to interact and function. I’m also learning about the Constitution and the law of the land.
I thank creators on TikTok, Substack, and various podcasts, where I learn something new daily. I have to credit Dr. Arlene, a creator new to social media, who predicts Kamala Harris will win the election. If you are nervous about who will earn the electoral votes in swing states, this class on her YouTube channel is worth watching.
Despite Dr. Arlene's prediction, I'm not sitting idly by. I've joined my town's Democratic club, where I'm finding solace in action rather than simply wallowing in worry.
I've realized that doing nothing is not an option and that I can do small things in my corner of the world to help. Despite my fears of knocking on strangers' doors, I've signed up to canvass. My fellow club members have convinced me it’s fun.
I’ve even been a guest on the Rational Boomer podcast, not once, but twice, to talk about politics.
I plan on implementing Dr. Arlene’s recommendation of getting a packet of sticky notes, writing the message, "Your husband won't know who you voted for," and sticking them on public bathroom doors. This is an easy, anonymous thing to do.
Through the club, I ordered a Harris-Walz sign to place on my lawn. We plan to put all our signs out on September 21st, the first day allowed by our town. The Trump flags and "Let's Go Brandon" banners have already been up for a long time—apparently, the display of lawn signs is subject to different rules.
For the first time in my life, I don't feel safe around supporters of a political candidate.
Putting up a Kamala Harris sign on my front lawn feels risky, something I never imagined could happen in my country. I know I'm not alone in this fear and that others feel it, too.
My neighbors on either side of our house are Trump supporters. My husband and I live in a red section of New Jersey, where Trump signs and flags have been part of the landscape for years. These symbols, coming from a party that claims to stand for family values, feel like anything but to me. The signs are worn like proud armor, often strapped to pickup trucks alongside flags, crosses, and guns. The "Fuck Joe Biden" and "Vote No for the Commie Ho" bumper stickers display how fake their family values and Christianity are.
I grew up in the city, so I've seen some things. I thought I was tough—but when a group of people are proud and defiant in their use of weapons as MAGA are, that scares me. Guns are lethal, as the school children in Georgia found out last week. Children have become soft targets for disturbed white boys, the new national terrorists. Yet, MAGA is unyielding in their support of semi-automatics AR-15s.
According to the Firearm Trade Industry Association, more than 28.1 million modern sporting rifles, including the AR-15, are circulating nationwide.
Our nation needs a reset. The damage done by another Trump presidency and the proliferation of his supporters would be devastating for us, but especially our children.
When I think of Kamala Harris, I owe it to her to show my support outwardly. As a successful professional woman, she's paid the price for being a Black Asian woman in power. From San Francisco DA to Attorney General of California, to U.S. Senator, and now the 49th Vice President of the United States—she has fought through it all. She's endured the misogyny, the racial slurs, and every other obstacle the haters placed in her way.
And yet, she hasn't stopped. The violent threats have been many, like for the Obama family, and yet Kamala has not let fear deter her.
I will put up that sign to acknowledge Kamala's courage for putting herself out there, even though it's so much easier not to.
Should my neighbors deface or destroy the sign, I'll replace it. Should they ask me why I'm voting for a Commie Kamala, I'll do my best to engage respectfully. But I won't be silent.
I hope other neighborhood supporters see my sign and realize they're not alone. I may be one of the few Democrats in town, but I'm here—and maybe my small act of hope will give others the courage to show their support, too.
This election isn't just another political race; it's a choice between democracy and dictatorship. If Donald Trump is allowed back into office, he will become a dictator, and Project 2025 will take us into a dangerous, authoritarian future.
Kamala Harris is worthy of our support. This election is about preserving our democracy and protecting everything we've worked for. The stakes are too high to stay silent, and it's time to show the world what we stand for—loudly and proudly.
Share in the comments anything you’re doing to support your choice of presidential candidate.
For those who asked, did you get my hug through the mail? I mean one of the 16 postcards I sent to subscribers who requested them from Scandinavia! If you’re wondering about what to write on a postcard, or how much postage they require, read this fun article from USA Today. Did you know since 2020, there is now a World Postcard Day? Even more fun— there’s an international organization called Postcrossing of more than 800,000 postcard enthusiasts in 208 countries who send cards around the world. Why not join in the fun?
Excellent, Ilona!! Love this! What a great day to be alive and be a Democrat!
Like you, I had never done anything to promote a candidate other than vote, but in this election, I just couldn't sit by. I ordered 100 plain postcards and sent them out from a list. It's not much, but I'm' disabled and unable to drive or really even walk straight, so sitting at a desk and doing "something" felt like a good start. Thanks for writing this, Ilona. I "get it!" I also feel unsafe around the "other side." Ugh.