I voted absentee this year because my PTSD makes it impossible to go to the voting booth without having a panic attack. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg for how my PTSD affects my view of the 2024 election.
Right now, it feels like everyone around me is silently holding their breath, waiting, worrying, but not talking about what’s coming. It is eerily similar to how I felt as a child, during those years when I was being abused. Back then, no one around me spoke up because they didn’t know — or didn’t want to know. I didn’t speak up either, trapped by threats and shame. My silent pain and severe anxiety manifested in severe OCD behaviors, which no one recognized or addressed until they exploded into more serious health issues.
This election feels like another silent storm brewing.
We’re all waiting for the outcome, holding onto a quiet fear of what might happen, no matter which party wins.
For me, the anticipation of a worst-case scenario feels like second nature. But despite everything, I still hold onto hope for change, because I’m an eternal dreamer. My abusers didn’t win in the end; unknowingly, they taught me resilience and the power of hope. And so, even now, I look for that sliver of hope to calm my anxious mind.
If Trump wins, I fear feeling once again that this country doesn’t care—about anyone but themselves.
Self-centeredness is a hallmark of those who harm others, and a Trump presidency threatens to dismantle protections around civil rights, reproductive rights, climate action, and support for minorities and people with disabilities. How will I face four years of misinformation, irresponsibility, and regression on issues that impact millions?
But I dream of a future led by Kamala Harris.
We would be electing the first ever woman president, and a woman of color at that! Her leadership would mark a monumental step forward after years of regression. Progress often feels slow or backward at times, but sometimes you need to take a step back to launch forward
So, where does our country stand? Have we outgrown our entrenched biases? Will Americans be ready to vote for a leader who defies tradition? If we elect Kamala, it will be a moment of pride and progress for our nation.
Featured image via Matthew Jackson on Unsplash
