Post-Election, A Letter to My Unborn Son

The election is over and many of us are wondering what to tell the children. I’m one of them, so I wrote a letter to my unborn son.

To my unborn son,

This morning I woke up aching. Not because you have midnight boxing matches with my bladder or are sitting on my sciatic nerve. No, this morning I woke up and my heart is aching because you are going to be born into Donald Trump’s America. In the days just before, or perhaps just after, the inauguration, you will make your grand entrance into this world.

Last night I wept for you.

Your father and I fought. We fought mostly for you. For you to belong to a nation of strong and empowered people— women, people of color, those who belong to different religions. We fought for love and kindness and acceptance. What we witnessed is hatred, fear, racism, and sexism from a populace that was built upon a foundation laid by pilgrims and immigrants. You’ll learn all about that someday. You’ll learn of all the awful things that this country has done to its people and then your father and I will show you another side of the human condition: that we can foster an environment of love and acceptance, no matter how difficult it may seem. That we can raise others up. That we don’t have to use hateful words to win. That America is, and has always been, great.

I want you to be a child forever. I want the innocence of your bright eyes to shine throughout the world. I want your happiness and glee to spread into crowds of strangers so that they can’t help but smile when they see your face and hear your laughter. We’ll let you be a kid for as long as possible because, son, you have a very heavy burden to bear. Your daddy and I will protect you from anything and everything, but this burden is important. We will begin speaking of it to you the very day you’re born.

You must change the world.

You are a white, American male. You have the power to do the impossible because of this specific set of circumstances. That may seem unfair. It is. We’ll talk about all of this with you someday. But it will still be up to you to change the world.

Your generation will be born of my generation, and my generation is going to do as much as possible to raise you to be kind. We will raise you to be aware, compassionate, free-thinking. My generation— millions of mommies and daddies— will teach you, our sons and daughters, to break down walls. To open your arms and accept those less fortunate than you. To look at girls and women and understand that they are your equal and they can do anything they want— just like you. That the color of a person’s skin should not incite fear or anger. That the different ways our people worship is a gift and not something to shun.

We fought for you. I will always fight for you, little one. Your daddy and I will do our very best to protect you while you’re little, but never forget that you have a big job. Your job is to be the best little guy you can, to become the best man you can, and to remind people of the goodness inside them. You will, without even knowing it, reach inside of people’s hearts and bring out the love and kindness and respect within.

I can’t wait to meet you, my child. I’m scared and I mourn whatever could have been. Now, though, I look forward and I prepare to keep fighting because you are the future of a bright America, and I will never, ever let someone dull your shine.

With all the Love in my Heart,
Your Mommy.

Next: We Get Up And We Move On

What are you telling your children this morning? Are you a teacher, a pastor, or a mother or father with words of wisdom? Please share them. And give your little ones a hug from us.