This weekend brought me joy, seeing major cities and even small towns come together as one, taking to the streets, dancing, and singing. It made me happy to see so many people united together. But, as the celebration dies down, I want to spread awareness to the victor’s side of the election. The result of this election stirred up a lot of emotion across the nation, good and bad, and even though it is good to celebrate, please remember to stay safe as well. Many people were angry with the results of the election. I urge you to please stay safe. 

Over the next few weeks, things could escalate hopefully not, but always be prepared for anything. If you see something suspicious report it to authorities you can actually trust or even to a staff member or a security guard at EMU. If you are ever out and something does not feel right to you, always make sure to trust your instincts, because one thing I learned is to always trust your gut feeling. Most importantly, do not put yourself in situations that could potentially put you in harm’s way. Even though that is a broad statement, with what is going on in the world, it is always good to go into any situation thinking logically. 

Growing up in New Jersey, I always learned to be prepared for the worst, to stay aware of my surroundings, and to never go anywhere without at least one person knowing where I was. When I was a child, I used to think my parents were just overprotective, period. But as I got older and started to understand the world around me, I began to realize why they worried about me constantly. Especially being a young black woman, I am a target for many people. Being a person of color during these times honestly, at any time makes you a potential target, especially since many of the people who have built-up aggression because of the elections are letting their range out on people of color. I encourage you to keep yourself and the ones you love safe and out of harm’s way.