Start moving on by recognizing damage

I feel compelled to respond to Sue Lani Madsen’s column telling us we need to “move on.” In her column, she stated “And now the party is over, and it’s time to clean up the damage, starting with putting away the divided-country rhetoric.” Let’s start by recognizing the “damage.”

It’s not divided-country rhetoric. It’s a divided country. Donald Trump won the electoral vote and Hilary Clinton won the popular vote. The campaign attacks on women, minorities, the press, religion and the disabled by Trump and his supporters were vicious and unprecedented in a political campaign. They have poisoned our society and emboldened the racists and bigots to act.

If you do not support such bigotry and hatred, then it is imperative that you demonstrate that you support the tenets of our society-freedom of religion, freedom of speech, equal justice, the rule of law and equal rights for people of all races.

Next, you need to listen to the fears expressed by the people protesting the election. They are afraid and their fears are based on Trump’s campaign language and actions. Instead of trying to silence them, their engagement and activism should be encouraged. That is moving on.

Laurie Connelly

Spokane