Dilemmas with Dill Emma: Sometimes Advice Is Nice (It’s about the election)

The one in which I strap on…my other alter ego

It finally happened. Someone has actually taken me up on my request to dispense advice. And wouldn’t you know, it’s from someone whose writing I really respect. It’s from Tucker Lieberman. If you don’t already follow him, you should check out his stuff or any of the stuff on the publications he edits Prism & Pen or Identity Current. Anyway, here’s Tucker’s question(s). (Note: He requested to not be anonymous):

Whichever way the election goes, how can we left-leaning people be present to the reactions and needs of those who are (roughly speaking) on our side? Those for whom we care?

If there’s a “conservative” win, some of us will need time to grieve, while others will try to think positive or say it never mattered anyway.

If there’s a “liberal” win, some of us will want to celebrate, while others will express cynicism and immediately get to work on all the political problems that remain unaddressed.

When we believe we’re on the same side, how can we connect with and support each other rather than disappoint and fight each other?

This is about the 2024 U.S. election but I suppose it’s a perennial, universal question.

Tucker Lieberman