What Do We Do Now?

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In the final scene of the film The Candidate (1972)…

Newly elected US Senator Bill McKay (played by Robert Redford) just won a shock victory in California. He’s overwhelmed by the chaos and cheering mob on election night. McKay and his campaign manager, Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle), slip away into an empty back room for a brief moment of privacy.

Alone with just seconds before the adoring mob finds them, a bewildered McKay turns to Lucas and asks, “What do we do now?”

Lucas is stunned as he watches journalists and campaign aides burst into the room to carry McKay out to the victory celebration. We CUT TO BLACK without ever answering the question.

Maybe it’s just a story, but that’s us. Now.

Anyone who voted for a Democrat this round feels it now. If you donated to a campaign or clasped your hands together in prayer as ICE carried away friends, neighbors… family members. You feel it if you ever watched your checking accounts dwindle after a trip to the grocery store. Filled your gas tanks. Now that the Blue Wave has arrived…

What do we do now?

I’ll continue to talk to my adult kids, feed my cats, write my book and worry about the plum tree in my backyard. I’m not a legislator. I’m not a billionaire. I can’t make any of this happen.

But I can add my voice to a discussion when I have something to say. And I can try to keep my hair from catching fire. Take a deep breath. Take a walk.

I’m still a supporter. I’m also bracing myself. People with power can still do great harm, and I don’t know how much will change, or how long it will take.

What do we do now?

I don’t have an answer either. Tomorrow I’ll feed the cats, talk to my kids, and get back to my book. I’ll still care what happens.

About: Ray Wyman, Jr is a content creator, communications professional, and author with more than 30 years of experience. Visit LinkedIN or Raywyman.com for more information.