I want to preface this by saying that I don’t have any deep thoughts, or solutions, or meaningful words of consolation, to offer to anyone reading this. But I’ve had these thoughts in my head all day, and I need to get them out.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been very, very liberal, or left-wing, or whatever label you want to give it, and proudly so. However, I’ve never given much thought to the privileged place I have in this world. Somehow, yesterday’s horrible electoral result has forced me to face that.

How am I privileged? I’m a white heterosexual male, educated, living in one of the richest and safest countries in the world: Canada. I don’t need to worry about being harassed when walking down the street, or deal with prejudice every day from people and institutions (including those in positions of power). I have relatively easy access to health and educational institutions and services, credit, employment, lodging, and everything that me and my family needs, no matter how imperfect these may be.

But what does this have to do with the election? Well, I realized today that I am very privileged indeed to be living in Canada. I have the luxury of saying that the election of that most despicable and vile man does not directly affect me, really. Of course, it likely will affect me in ways unforeseen, because of what may happen on the world stage with him and his ilk leading Canada’s neighbour, the world’s largest economy and military. Still, it doesn’t affect me directly. I won’t have a Supreme Court potentially taking away my rights. I won’t have my access to health and education taken away from me. I won’t have to explain to my children why we have an increasingly militarized police force (well, not to the same extent as in the US, anyway). If I wanted to, I could pretty much ignore everything that’s happening south of the border. And at least for the next little while, I will do just that, for my own sanity and mental well-being (dwelling on the result, and the reasons for the result, kept me awake for most of last night).

However, I have friends south of this border. Friends who are legitimately afraid of what this election will bring to them and their loved ones. Afraid of the coming policies that will undoubtedly affect them directly, and not just for the next 4 years, but for many more beyond. To all my friends who are rightfully worried and scared: I love you all dearly, and I’m sorry. Today, I was made aware that I have a privilege that they don’t: I can say, “I am not stepping foot in the US as long as that man is President.” They have to live there.