George Takei Offers Advice for Dealing With Trump Trauma

The gay survivor of a Japanese-American internment camp shares his wisdom.

dnlreynolds

George Takei has advice for dealing with "the unthinkable."

The gay Star Trek star took to Twitter at the end of Election Day. Takei, a survivor of a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II, offered guidance for those who were despairing at the prospect of Donald Trump as president.

Upending expectations, the Republican candidate bested Hillary Clinton Tuesday in the race for the nation's highest office. The news was met with anxiety by many members of vulnerable communities, such as LGBT people, people of color, and immigrants, who had been the target of Trump during the election season.

Rather than panic, Takei advised courage and hope to his social-media followers.

"In times like these we must reaffirm the values we cherish and have fought for: equality, justice, the care of our planet," Takei said, adding, "This country has seen wars and grave injustices, slavery and even civil war in its past. Yet we found our way through. We will now, too"

Read his words of wisdom below.

\u201cThe unthinkable happened before, to my family in WWII. We got thru it. We held each other close. We kept our dignity and held to our ideals.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478668680

\u201c1) I am addressing this to all who voted to defeat Donald Trump and what he represents. We may not have prevailed, but we must not despair.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478670381

\u201c2) Many of you are, like me, in a state of shock. This does not feel like the America you love and honor. We are in unchartered waters.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478670394

— (@)

\u201c4) We must stand up defiantly to any dark or divisive acts, and look out for the most vulnerable among us. It is more important than ever.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478670428

\u201c5) Within our hearts we know the society we wish to live in. No one can take that vision from us. We are each of us keepers of that promise.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478670443

\u201c6) This country has seen wars and grave injustices, slavery and even civil war in its past. Yet we found our way through. We will now, too.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478670470

\u201c7) Hold your loved ones close. Tell them that it is in times of sadness and in the toughest of days where we often find our true mettle.\u201d
— George Takei (@George Takei) 1478670484