I wrote a poem that was meant to celebrate the election of this nation’s first woman President. But voters postponed its release date. So I wrote a letter instead. This is not it. Well, not exactly. This is the bare bones of it. The rest lies buried under polluted soil.

Dear Us,

Barack Obama has served two terms and earned widespread acclaim and high approval ratings. Now he will oversee the peaceful transfer of power to an individual who challenged his very citizenship, his Christian faith and his academic record. Hmm. Tough duty, Prez! But we know you’re up to the task, so we’ll leave the job in your good and incredibly large hands.

The President-elect has never held public office or a position serving the community or the country. It is an understatement to label his public behavior as “deplorable.” He has used profane language, mocked people with special needs, repeatedly demeaned women, and he has defamed ethnic and religious groups—all on national television. His business ledger, the source of his reputation, is filled with failed enterprises, bilked customers, unpaid laborers and unsatisfied consumers, partners and collaborators. Add to this woeful performance the fact that he does not denounce bigots—he hires them! Wrong kind of equal opportunity, Mr. President-elect. Our newly named “most powerful man alive” maintains iconic pop culture status by owning golf courses, the “Miss Universe” pageant, and a TV show that made him famous for telling losing contestants, “You’re fired.”

This outcome has stunned about half of all Americans. Moreover, it’s downright depressing for many of us. Faith in our fellow Man is shaken. The milk of Mother’s Kindness has evaporated. We awake to jangled nerves and the vertigo of uncertainty. As if on cue from a hardline leader, fascist graffiti appears on college walls. Students taunt Hispanic kids in class saying they will be deported. Even some teachers have! Our world has an incoming “King” who models cruel behavior and his example is being followed! Cruelty—acceptable? Preposterous! For Pity’s sake, have they no shame!

So, where do we go from here? What are good first steps for pathfinders looking to restore peace, equaility and fair play? Here are my suggestions. I'd love to hear yours:

1. Get involved locally. Support and listen to your community radio station. Here in Portland, OR, we are fortunate to have KBOO as a flagship station promoting social justice since 1968. (http://kboo.fm/)


2. Get involved globally. Support and watch or listen to Amy Goodman on her show “Democracy Now!” (http://www.democracynow.org/)


3. Get involved environmentally. Support and follow Jane Goodall and “Roots and Shoots.” (http://www.janegoodall.org/)


4. Get involved ethically. Support a charitable non-profit. We support Youth Progress. (http://youthprogress.org/)


5. “Look up when [you] walk so that tears won’t fall” from Kyu Sakamoto’s greatest hit, “Ue o Muite Arukou” (Sukiyaki) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C35DrtPlUbc


6. Read Bentari (Oh! How in Trump’s name did self-promotion sneak in? Seems I can’t resist. I do have that in common with POTUS-elect! So, please Buy Bentari here)
   
   Send us your ideas. We’ll cross-pollinate!
   
   (Send e-mail to: Tim@Bentari.com)
   
   Photo: Caitlin shows us how she looks up—as if she knows “Happiness lies beyond the clouds.” Careful up there, Cait!