A Harris Walz Household
I woke up Monday morning to discover that someone had stolen my Harris Walz sign from the front of my house. With just 24 hours left until the election, the theft felt pointless.
But it also felt mean. Cruel even.
Since when did neighborhoods become a battleground?
As I surveyed my bare lawn without its familiar deep blue political placard, the town sanitation truck pulled up. Yet, not once did I think to yell to the garbage man to make sure he picked up my Trump-loving neighbor along with the trash?
I was sad at the loss of the yard sign. I felt violated.
Silenced.
A simple corrugated plastic lawn sign lawn was a public declaration of my support and one that gave me joy.
Returning home from my walks with my dog Moe, seeing that square of blue in front of my house in the distance gave me pleasure. As my mind wandered watering my plants, that sign in my field of vision was uplifting.
What’s Your Sign?
To me it wasn’t just a sign -it was a sign of hope.
Yard signs are not a new campaign method but it was new to me.
Though not my first presidential election this was my first yard sign. Somehow this year it felt crucial.
Did I think it would change anyone’s mind? No. I suspect putting out this yard sign had a bigger impact on me than the election. But it was a public declaration of who I am.
In a climate in which we are highly polarized these symbols are more than campaign tools- they are literal markers of our identity.
This was a house that supported freedom- freedom to make decisions about your own body without government interference; the freedom to love who you love openly and with pride and the freedom that unlocked all the others: the freedom to vote.
A home that is choosing freedom over fascism.
The hope remains even if the sign doesn’t.
And that’s ok.
I didn’t lose my voice at the ballot.
No one, not even Trump can take that away.
Yet.
I voted blue, and I hope that you will too.
Envisioning The American Dream 
This is one of most compelling and posts you have written about this year’s presidential election. Sorry your sign was stolen and it is sad that it symbolizes the mess we are in. And terribly sad that I should add that I am relieved that you are safe.
Election Day once was the day when Americans decided who would be their leader. We voted and we moved on with faith in the system. There was disent and bitterness but it never felt this.
Today, we can turn the page. There is hope.
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Thank you. This small personal incident seemed to be a microcosm of the divisiveness and hate in this country surrounding this election. I am of course like others filled with anxiety today, but it runs parallel with a sense of great anticipation of the first female president and a vote for democracy.
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I must have paused searching for the word. The was disent and bitterness bu it never felt this…frightening.
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You were brave, Sally, to even put the sign up in the first place. I have also found the political climate frightening, especially since October 7th. I wish I felt brave enough to put up a yard sign or put a menorah in the window, but I never have. Perhaps next time.
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I know how scary it is. I do live in a mostly blue area, though surrounded by Republicans in other sections.
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