What did you do with your Inauguration Day?

January 20, 2017

People continue remarking how Historic today is. Historic seems like a big word, and yet- it's totally neutral. Barack Obama as the first African-American President, historic. Hitler's genocide on the Jewish and minority peoples of Europe- also historic.

I believe it's historic for many reasons, but the most notable to me are:

• A man who lost the election got elected. By a difference of over 2 million votes!!!
• 1 of the least qualified people EVER to run has been elected to the most powerful position in the free world
• An open campaign of hatred, bigotry, assault, misogyny, sexism, and racism (to name a few) is what got that under-qualified candidate elected. And it has impassioned a sect of America we had swept under the carpet for many years.
• The American people are engaged. Perhaps our mistake was resting on the laurels of our successes and growth in justice and equality. But the election of Donald Trump proves how little progress we have really made. And I am pleased to hear about the number of donations and demonstrations my fellow Americans are making- since the Election and up through the Women's March tomorrow. We realize we can no longer trust our elected politicians to keep their promises, or do what it is in their electorate's best interest- we need to constantly and consistently remind them of what we want.

I've been angry and sick and sad over the changes that seem to be coming, and it may feel like there's nothing you can do. But ask yourself- have you tried? What have you done since Election Day?

Here are some things I have done:

• Signed Petitions against Presidential nominations I feel are not in the best interest of myself or my peers.
• Joined my Township's Environmental Commission (actually sparked them to have their first meeting since about 2001)
• Continued to lead a Girl Scout troop, and work to arm them with knowledge so they can engage in smart dialogue and make decisions for themselves
• Wrote a letter of dissent to GSUSA for having girls in uniform March in the Inauguration parade. (copy of my note below)

But it's not too late. Today is a tumultuous day for many. But it could be remembered for something greater. Here's what I'm doing:

• Made a donation to the ACLU
• Made a donation to Citizens Climate Lobby
• Made a donation to Planed Parenthood
• Following the actions of my state politicians- prepared to make calls and write letters as necessary

What if this day was remembered long from now, not for Trump being sworn in, but as the weekend with the largest outpouring of donations for social justice, environmental protection, and women's rights?

What if this weekend was the largest national demonstration of civil disobedience in history?

What if each citizen decided to actually evaluate every policy decision based on its merits, not the party who presented it?

What if the election of Donald Trump really will make America great- because we become empowered against a common enemy, and discover we all have more in common than we ever believed?


So then, I ask you- what did you do with your Inauguration Day?

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Copy of my email to Patricia Carroll, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of NJ

Good Afternoon,

I am a Service Unit leader for Roselle Park Girl Scouts and have been a member of the organization since about 1995.

It has come to my attention that girl scouts of the USA are intending to march at Donald Trump's Inauguration parade.

I find this extremely upsetting after the President-Elect has engaged in a campaign based on bigotry, hatred, sexism, racism, and has been charged with (and admitted to) sexual assault.

While every scout family has their own individual right to select a candidate, Girl Scouts as an organization should NOT be allowing its membership to be represented in this forum.

It does not seem that this new president encourages any of the girl scout laws.

The only law this potentially honors is respect authority, and it brings to question what Girl Scouts and Girl Guides did when faced with unacceptable regimes (Hitler, Stalin, Kim Jung Un, etc.) Being in a position of power does not in itself, earn the right to respect.

My Junior scouts are learning to question and analyze stereotypes and labeling, I would expect the executives at GSUSA and GSHNJ to individually subject every supportive action to a set of standards and make a judgment based on that. Doing it because 'it's what we have always done' is the antithesis of Girl Scouts.

How is girl scouts speaking for the minority, religious, and differently-abled members who are threatened by the campaign promises of Donald Trump?

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter,

Casey Cullen