Richa Gangopadhyay Instagram – Diwali came early this year. Here’s to celebrating good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Bringing harmony and unity back to a country that has been holding its breath, holding onto hope for the needed change we will collectively work together to continue to fight for. Letting go of the harsh rhetoric and widespread misinformation indoctrinated by a disgraceful leader, and replacing it with peace, unity, empathy, dignity and above all, tolerance. That’s the America I know and love, the America that brought me and my family to this country from India in 1989, the America we became proud citizens of 20+ years ago. No more excusing misogyny, racism, bigotry, white supremacy and sheer incompetency as “minor character flaws”. Our new leaders will work hard so that members of the BIPOC or LGBTQ+ communities won’t have to continue fearing for their safety or have their freedoms questioned. No more allowing gaslighting by people who trivialize racism, both covert and overt. We will tell our kids and our grandkids about this moment in history. That @KamalaHarris broke down barriers of color and gender to become the first woman, first Indian American and first Black woman to be elected vice president of the United States. That anything is possible, and they are represented by someone who looks like them. MORE than half the country wanted change. More than half the country welcomes and embraces others’ differences, recognizes the impact of oppressive systems and actively participates in allyship. Grateful to those who never gave up hope, used their voice to bring awareness, fight for justice and used their power by voting. There’s a lot of work to be done, and they’re already on top of it. I couldn’t be more proud to be an American than I am today, knowing that almost 75 M people resonated with our new leaders’ values, and had faith in their promise. President @joebiden and VP @kamalaharris are the dynamic duo we need, deserve and will celebrate wholeheartedly the next four years and beyond. Here’s to celebrating democracy restored, soul of the nation renewed. Thank you America, for proving that #CharacterMatters.