A year ago, I thought it was all over. Not just with politics, but in the future I wanted for my family and my dreams as an author. In the months that followed, I regained hope, looked for ways to fight back, got off the doomscrolling habit, became willing to stand up for my beliefs in spite of fear, and tapped into my reasons for staying strong. I went back to writing and going to book events. While things are still scary in the world, I know that through persistence, courage, and vision, we can find a way forward. A just and humane world is still possible.

We were rewarded for these beliefs in tonight’s elections: Zohran Mamdani in New York City, Abigail Spanberger in Virginia, Mikie Sherrill in New Jersey. And here in California, Proposition 50, a redistricting proposition specifically marketed as a repudiation of Trump, passed nearly 2-to-1. Gee, it seems like people are sick of wanton greed, corruption, cruelty, incompetence, and authoritarianism.

We’re voting with our wallets too. Sephora will soon get the same harsh lesson Target, Starbucks, American Eagle, and Tesla got. Mocking customers and backing those who oppress them is bad for business.

These are just the first steps in a long and difficult fight. Power doesn’t yield if you ask nicely enough, and we know how far this regime will go to hold on to power. We must brace ourselves for Trump to inflict maximum cruelty on us for refusing to bend the knee. For him to be willing to burn the whole country down to save himself. But last night’s victories remind us we should not be afraid. When we stand together and stay true to our principles and vision of a better society, we will win.

For me, the most important lesson of the last 12 months is to keep fighting. It’s easy to say goodbye to my hopes and dreams, but everything of value I’ve earned in my life came from persisting when conditions were at their worst. Even in the darkest time for our country in recent years, I can do the same.

Someday, we will say goodbye to Trump, along with the greed, hatred, and cowardice that put him in power. I hope to be there when it happens, but I’ll do everything I can to build the better world that will replace him.

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