Ok, I've seen tons of tweets about how those of us who are happy now should show empathy for those who are sad, bc we felt the same in 2016. I'd like to offer an alternate viewpoint. (1/8)

I appreciate the sentiment, but feel like that msg must be meant to be from white people to white people. Because here's the thing: as a black immigrant in a multiracial family, in November 2016, I LEGIT feared for the lives of me & my family. (2/8)

And this was a CONSTANT background fear for the ensuing 4 years. While I understand that Trump supporters are disappointed, I don't think any of them fear for their lives. No one will be threatening to put their children in cages. (3/8)

No one will signal to hate groups to stand back & stand by for the order to hurt them. No one try to take away their rights to love who they love. No one will suggest that their heritages are from shithole countries, or threaten violence purely bc of their skin colour. (4/8)

I am all about leading with love and light, and would never wish ill against those who support Trump. But the suggestion that I should embrace people whose mission was to hurt me and family bc they feel bad their candidate lost? Nah, son. (5/8)

Elections, by their nature, disappoint some people. And I definitely support their right to hold elected officials accountable. But I'm afraid the baseline for my welcoming embrace is your recognition of my humanity. That I'm deserving of the same human rights as you. (6/8)

We certainly don't have to agree on much to earn my compassion. But if you can't, at the very least, recognize my *humanity*? While I won't wish you ill, neither will you earn my attention. Contact me when you consider me deserving of human rights. THEN we'll talk. (7/8)

Until then, you can sit with your disappointment that your candidate lost. Because for the last 4 years, my black, immigrant family lamented far more. And while this election doesn't erase that fear? It has, at least, allowed for a deep breath & a glimmer of hope. (8/8)

TL;DR: you want to ask ur white friends to show compassion to Trump supporters? Fine, but qualify that’s who ur talking to. BC we brown/black/LGBTQ/Muslim/etc folks are also in the Twitter room, & asking us to show compassion to folks actively trying to hurt us is an ask too far.