Resilience and Hope in the Trump Era

As the reality of a second Donald Trump presidency sinks in, my 29-year-old daughter, a dedicated Scientist and Fulbright Scholar, finds herself in a state of shock and dismay. Like many women, she is grappling with the rollback of reproductive rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the broader implications of this political shift. "I've been in a weird fog all day," she admitted. "I’m trying to wrap my head around the fact that we’re facing four more years under the leadership of a man convicted in the courts, now empowered with the full support of the Supreme Court and Senate."

These challenges—along with Trump's Project 2025—are especially poignant as Millennials and GenZs consider starting a family of their own, realizing that choices about their bodies and futures are increasingly out of their hands.

In times like these, it’s essential to remember the resilience of those who came before us—our ancestors, who endured centuries of struggle, oppression, and hardship. They pressed on despite unimaginable obstacles, fostering families and communities against the odds. While our history is distinct from other global tragedies, the resilience of African Americans through centuries of oppression offers powerful lessons in perseverance and hope. This is a moment to draw on that strength, to find encouragement in the unbreakable spirit of those who came before, and to face the future with determination, for yourself and generations to come.

I can sense the weight and concern that encompasses you, especially in such a turbulent political landscape. The uncertainty surrounding reproductive rights, is unsettling for many. It's natural to feel disheartened, even disillusioned, in times like these. However, you possess a lineage filled with resilience and strength that you must draw on—a resoluteness that was forged in times of even greater adversity.

Our African American ancestors faced centuries of oppression, laws that restricted their most basic rights, and a society that tried to dehumanize them at every turn. Yet, through it all, they resisted. They formed families, built communities, created culture, and clung fiercely to faith and hope. They understood that even when the world feels beyond our control, there is power in resilience, in unity, and in knowing that we are part of a larger legacy.

From your Filipina heritage, you can draw upon the strength of a people who have also known colonialism and occupation but retained their identity and pride. Filipinos have a cultural spirit known as "bayanihan"—a collective resilience, a commitment to uplift one another in times of need. That spirit flows through you and your brother.

It’s normal for you to feel heavy about what’s happening. But you're definitely someone with a purpose—a brilliant, accomplished Physicist with the insight, skills, and empathy to make an impact—a powerful foundation.

Stay engaged, and involved, to find ways to be part of the "change you want to see in the world", no matter how small it might seem in the moment. The world needs strong, informed voices like yours, and you are part of a legacy of people who did not give up. You have everything within you to overcome and help shape a better world for your successors.