Christine Marie

Our country has just made history – No matter what side of the line you stand on; the numbers do not lie. Yesterday, a man with the lowest approval rating of any modern president-elect just swore the oath of office and took his place as President of the United States of America. As I sit down to write this article millions of people, from all over the world, are in protest. Some are protesting the man himself and his hateful rhetoric, others are protesting the policies he will or will not overturn, others still are there to fight for their very own civil liberties. No matter the reason, the streets across the nation are filled with people desperately hoping their voices are heard as we enter a new and potentially terrifying future that will last, at minimum, for the next 4 years. Love or hate the man, our great nation will be forever changed. While I could use my voice and this platform to share my own political ideals I choose instead to share a message of hope, one of love and most importantly, one of acceptance. I would like to share with you a lesson I learned from my fellow nerds, because like it or not, we are all in this together.

Two years ago I attended my very first Comic Convention. Dragging, kicking and screaming I went with my sister who repeatedly tried to tell me that I would in fact, have fun. I would enjoy being able to disconnect from the world around me and immerse myself in a world of fantasy and fiction; a world that I had just recently come to accept. As I entered the oversize convention hall I was immediately struck by the sheer magnitude of the event. The utter number of people that had gathered in one place to share in their nerdy pleasures was simply overwhelming. I unobtrusively walked through the throngs of people, many in costumes, some just like myself, there just to take it all in. I wandered down the rows of booths selling fan merchandise and ogled in wonder at row upon row of artwork – pieces that could only be found in such a gathering.  I quietly listened as complete strangers would stop one another to compliment them on their cosplay or ask questions about items they were carrying. Conversations about the many different series, movies, games, books and comics came just as easily to these strangers as talk of the weather.

As I made my way through the hall in search of food I found myself in a back hallway with a small banner stating “kid’s con”. Out of curiosity I walked in and was greeted by the most heartwarming sight – children, many of whom were in costumes that ranged from Star Wars and Super Heroes to Princesses and even some villains – these children were playing together without a second thought. They were sitting at child size tables having tea with professional supers and beautiful princesses. These children gave absolutely no thought to the different nerds being represented around them, they had no clue that Star Wars and Trekkies are two completely different genres. Why shouldn’t princesses have tea with witches and wizards?  As I walked through this little slice of ignorant childhood bliss, I was struck by a beautiful thought; these children have no problem playing with the different costumed children around them because in their eyes, ‘your costume is just as cool as mine’. Even better, these children’s parents actively encouraged their children to include everyone there. I couldn’t help but smile as I overheard a mother talking with her son, who was dressed as Captain America, about how he should trade his shield with the child with the light saber so the two could go fight the evil dragon in the corner…a quick smile and off the two went without a second thought, because in the world of nerd, everyone is a friend.

As I left that last day of Comic Con I was changed. I went in thinking that I simply did not belong in a world of overt nerd and costumed adults and I left with the understanding that everyone can belong. No matter your background, interest or passion, everyone who came to Con left with good memories and often, new friends. As I think back on that first convention I can’t help but feel nostalgic, and a bit emotional – today, our nation is divided. Many of my female (and some male) friends and family are marching through the streets, as we speak, in protest. Just as I do, they fear for what this country could become. They fear the hate and divisive rhetoric that threatens us all as a country. It is in this moment that I cannot help but think of the lesson I learned nearly two years ago; no matter where you come from, what you do or what you believe, people – above all – are meant to love. We are not born with hate in our hearts. Children love and accept freely, without reservation and, as I learned at con, adults can too. In the next four years our beliefs will be tested, our very way of life will be put on trial but instead of meeting that diversity with hate and vitriol, I will take a page out of the book of my nerdy friends. I will choose to meet those on the opposite end of the wall with kindness, civility and love – because in the end, we are all in this together. I choose hope, love and acceptance, what do you choose?