Tuesday night was a rough one for many Americans. And when we woke up Wednesday morning, half of us were ecstatic, while the other half felt overcome with fear and uncertainty for the future of our country. For many women, African Americans, Muslims, Hispanics, members of the LGBTQ community, and their allies, the results of this election simply left them in a state of shock and disbelief.
Many have compared the tidal wave of grief and uncertainty to the aftermath felt in the U.K. following Brexit. Not only were British citizens left shaken by the surprise vote to leave the European Union, but they too saw a rise in hate crimes against minorities and immigrants after the vote.
And while it may be difficult to know what we can and should do next, many are taking a cue from what one American living in Britain did following Brexit, as a means of showing solidarity with others.
“I’d like to come up with something that can be made by anybody anywhere to pin on their jacket or coat to signify that they are an ally,” tweeted Twitter user @cheeahs after Brexit in June. “The idea being that anyone against the sort of nationalistic, racist violence we’ve been seeing could identify themselves as a ‘safe’ ally.”
That one single tweet soon sparked a national movement. And while the literal “safety” pin idea was a simple one, not associated with any particular political stance, it was also a powerful one.
I'd like to come up with something that can be made by anybody anywhere to pin on their jacket or coat to signify that they are an ally.
— miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 26, 2016
I quite like the idea of just putting a safety pin, empty of anything else, on your coat. A literal SAFETY pin!
— miss pommery 1926 (@cheeahs) June 26, 2016
The #SafetyPin movement soon spread, and now Americans are adopting this small but powerful gesture to show solidarity with minorities who are feeling scared and threatened after the election.
#SafetyPinAmerica #ImWithYou pic.twitter.com/t5Kazozwz5
— Safety Pin America (@SafetyPinUSA) November 11, 2016
I wear my #SafetyPin to show I am a safe place.I will protect those who are treated unfairly bc of gender, race, disability, & indiv beliefs pic.twitter.com/gn2LmcTbi5
— Sarah Lill (@SarahLill9) November 11, 2016
Yes. And Amen. And thank you #safetypinamerica https://t.co/UisZxojNQN
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) November 11, 2016
#Safetypin pic.twitter.com/MGFcjx68BP
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) November 11, 2016
Let's all do this together!!! Great idea!! Thank you for sharing @fred_diblasio #safetypinamerica #StrongerTogether https://t.co/oyA7lkX8jb
— Lana Parrilla (@LanaParrilla) November 11, 2016
@SafetyPinUSA I got you #ImWithYou pic.twitter.com/zHx03t8Zz3
— Mike Houston (@mikehouston2) November 11, 2016
Let's be clear. This #safetypin isn't a well wish. It's a commitment. You will HELP people. You will stand up. You will defend. It's action.
— SafetyPinsUSA (@SafetyPinsUSA) November 11, 2016
Wear a #Safetypin today to show you're a safe place, and a person that does not treat others unfairly due to race, gender, or beliefs!!
— hannah (@hannahfousek) November 11, 2016
Acknowledge your privileges. Spread compassion. Let people know they're loved in a time when they feel otherwise #NotMyPresident #safetypin
— Julia Fortney (@JuliaFortney) November 11, 2016
And we think it’s perfect.
h/t: NY Mag