One day we will overcome, but that day is not today.

At this moment, I feel a deep sense of hopelessness and abandonment from the very systems meant to protect and support me.

The recent election of President Donald Trump affirms what has become painfully clear: America is not prepared to confront its entrenched divisions or strive for meaningful change.

Like many, I cling to a spirit of enduring hope—a hope that justice will one day triumph and that we can find unity in our shared experiences.

The aspiration for a better America seems increasingly out of reach

Yet, more recently, that hope feels increasingly elusive. Trump’s victory serves as a stark reminder of our nation’s ongoing struggles with its own failures. We are mired in ideologies that foster feelings of superiority for some, while leaving others feeling marginalized and demoralized, ultimately damaging our collective unity.

As a child growing up in poverty and facing abuse, I hoped for rescue, but that help never materialized. I was deserted by a system designed to shield and care for vulnerable children like me.

Yet, even as I matured, I held on to the belief that America was fundamentally righteous and just, merely offering me a difficult reality. That belief has faded.

America was once envisioned as a sanctuary for those seeking refuge. Immigrants fled England seeking religious freedom, economic opportunities, and an escape from political repression.

Now, we exhibit the same ideologies that people once sought to escape from. America remains shrouded in the shadows of ideals that have yet to be fulfilled: unity, inclusivity, and equality.

The voices of marginalized Americans continue to be overlooked

Trump’s re-election is yet another painful realization that the voices of the marginalized, disenfranchised, and hopeful are continually suppressed by a determined resistance to change.

I recognize that America’s path towards justice and unity has always encountered obstacles, and, while we have made strides, for every gain, there seems to be an equally strong pushback, reminding us that achieving equality and inclusion will not come easily.

Today, I am exhausted from the fight. As a Black woman in America, this struggle feels relentless and overwhelming.

I have battled against a reality that remains inflexible, armed with nothing but hope and faith. Are we truly ready to face the uncomfortable truths of our history? Do we genuinely want to dismantle the systems that have oppressed so many? Because right now, Trump’s victory feels like a validation of the existing order, illustrating an unwillingness to recognize or rectify the inequalities that are ingrained in our society.

This moment serves as a lesson to us all. Despair has long been a companion of social transformation. The American Revolution, the fight for women’s suffrage, and the civil rights movement all emerged from the denial of equality and inclusivity.

These historical moments remind us of what is at stake—our freedom.

Despite feeling forsaken today, my voice will not be silenced. I refuse to be overcome. Though the journey ahead may be challenging and progress seems slow, I will persist in advocating for marginalized communities because I believe that one day—though not today—we shall prevail.

When that day comes, our voices will resonate even more powerfully, having endured these times of pain and exclusion.