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Nov 09
nonfiction challenge: Biden/Harris
TreePupWriter

Elections, over the years

In kindergarten, I was oblivious. I think I knew what a president was, and, well, that was it. I asked my parents who they'd voted for, and they told me Barack Obama – a name that signaled nothing in my five-year-old mind as I announced, "Then I vote for him, too!" I imagine my parents laughed at me, or maybe just smiled – perhaps with amusement at my declaration, but perhaps with knowing that for another four years, America would be okay.

In fourth grade, I knew more. I listened when my parents told me about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, and I stuck nine-year-old labels of "good" and "bad" on them just like the I voted sticker my mom let me wear after I went with her to fill out bubbles on a piece of paper. That Wednesday morning, she entered my room and, when I eagerly asked from my bed, she told me, It looks like Donald Trump won. Why I remember the exact words she used to tell me the news, I don't know, but ... I think I do.

Then there is now. Thirteen is older, but it's young enough to give me a bar of naivete to hang onto, just enough not to fall down an abyss of justice nominations and deaths and mail-in ballots and the magic number of 270. Maybe I didn't understand, but I still cared, more than ever, and I watched people in suits debate through plexiglass and Googled election results 2020 on my school computer. On November 4, when my mother woke me up, I was groggy and tired and I forgot until far later and when I asked – on the year that seemed to matter most – there was no answer.

Not yet.

November 7. I was in my father's car. He was driving me home from building play sets and I wasn't thinking and I was telling him all about painting a table when he politely made me shut up and listen for a minute. The car radio was playing – not our usual classical music, but the news.

Joe Biden has officially been elected president of the United States...

I smiled. Or, somehow I can't remember whether I did, but I know I was smiling inside. Because for another four years, I thought, I hoped, America would be okay.

Thank you, voters.
  • TreePupWriter's blog
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Posted: 11.09.20
About the Author: TreePupWriter
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Discussion

Comments

  1. Yellow Sweater
    Nov 09, 2020

    This is succinct and powerful. Every word needs to be said. Thank you for your honesty and your hope.

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  1. TreePupWriter
    Nov 09, 2020

    No, thank you! Your kind words meant a lot; I wanted to write it but wasn't sure how it would turn out, so I'm so glad you liked it.

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  1. NiñaEstrella
    Nov 09, 2020

    This reminds me SO much of my own experience... I was eight when I was promised it would be Hillary and was disappointed. I am so glad we can feel safe again.

    “If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.”
    ― Oscar Wilde

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  1. TreePupWriter
    Nov 09, 2020

    Yes, me too! I'm glad this felt true for your younger self, too...it's sad and not easy to be disappointed in a way that's actually a really big deal.

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  1. moonsand
    Nov 09, 2020

    Wow, this was amazing. I can totally relate to your writing and it has some emotional as well as practical sense. Nice job!

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  1. TreePupWriter
    Nov 10, 2020

    Thanks so much! I'm so happy it felt relatable to you!

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YWP is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists. We're based in Burlington, VT, and we welcome young creators from anywhere!
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