It is still early, only twenty four hours since many of us
woke up to find that what we had hoped did not happen. The referendum, for many
is lost, and the reaction is fierce. What follows are a few ideas of how to
navigate the next wee while.
Be Real
If this hurts, hurt. If it make us feel scared, be scared.
Anger and blame are great displacements- and they have their moment (which is
still now, don’t just squash it) - but get as close to the real feelings as you
can. And take that moment to acknowledge that for many of us part of the
challenge is that we are not used to getting our own way.
Be Kind
If you are reading this, the outcome is worse for many other
people. They may have voted for it, but they will suffer. Be kind. And be kind
to those who are very fearful. Being an EU worker at this moment must feel
pretty grim. Be kind.
Switch Off
How many of us have run our phone batteries dry in the last
24 hours? The urge to check social media and keep abreast of what s going on is
huge. But it will drive us to more fear and worry. Limit the interaction, not
to stick our heads in the sand, but to remember that life is more than this.
Put your phone down, give someone a hug and play some frisby.
Stay Engaged
A lot of young people voted in the referendum. If we walk
away from the political process now we will miss an opportunity. The last few
elections have been won because of an older vote that has been pandered
to. Don’t ever let that happen again.
Put Some Skin in the Game
Every successful social movement has had self-control and
has been prepared to put bodies on the line. Be ready to protest. Be polite and
don’t be angry in it, but be prepared to be treated badly anyway. But it will
work. And be ready to flier and protest and write and march. Just signing an
online petition won’t do this.
Put Some More Skin in the Game
It seems that whilst the vote does not imply a universal
racism, those who were racist before the vote are emboldened. Don’t believe everything you see on social media,
but if you see someone being obnoxious, challenge it. Stand in the way of
hatred, physically if you have to.
Be Around People Who Aren’t Like You
Andy Flannagan has written much more eloquently about this:
but people will be influenced by the things around them. So be around them.
Time will tell that white working class voters will not get what they voted
for. That’s a powerful alliance that could grow to get a better outcome.
Read the Story
If you are a Christian, we have to remember that our hope is
not in the EU; its in Jesus. The story of God and his people has always been
that He is faithful with our unfaithfulness. He loves us, he loves people who
voted to leave, sit in that, however uncomfortable it feels.
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