The 6th District feels a little quieter this week. It’s no longer the epicenter of American politics. The race is over. The campaign staffers from D.C. and elsewhere are on to something new. The national media packed up and went home.

So what remains? The people of District 6. We remain. Divided. United. Some say one way. Some say the other. I say we probably lie somewhere in the middle. I find myself saying that often. The middle. The truth? It’s somewhere in the middle. Most people’s political stance? Typically in the middle. So here we are. Kind of stuck in the middle of what could have been and what has always been. A district shaken up, disturbed, and now left to carry on like before.

But here’s the kicker: before is a thing of the past. The future of District 6 began when an unknown named Jon Ossoff threw his hat in the ring for a Congressional campaign. From that moment, there was no turning back.

Before I go on, you may be reading this and thinking; I don’t live in the 6th District of Georgia. What does this have to do with me? I’d argue that if you are an American living in the year 2017, it has everything to do with you. Because our election was a microcosm of the state of America.

I think we can all agree there are many people who are not happy with politicians today – on both sides. Our representatives, through their words and actions, seem to have lost their purpose. They represent money, special interests, and partisanship over their constituents and in turn, their country. That’s a broad statement, I know. But that’s how I see it. The administration talks of fake news and liberal bias, but I look at statements, votes, and donations. It really is a swamp.

Pause mid blog: this isn’t a hopeful read thus far, is it? Read on. It’s coming. I promise.

So here we are – unprecedented Presidential administration, division, unrest. And. And….awareness, activism, action.

I’ve said all along that my great hope out of the current political climate is a new generation of informed voters with compassion and empathy who aren’t afraid to take action. In Georgia’s 6th, it’s happening. Conversations have started that won’t stop now. There’s no turning back. 

When Jon Ossoff threw his hat in the ring, something changed. What I experienced over the course of the runoff  I’ll never forget. Local activism on superdrive. Honesty. Guts. And so much hope. I signed up for a candidate I liked. I got to know a candidate who simply blew me away. This man ran a campaign built on kindness and humility. And he carried it through to the last. I never once heard a negative, derogatory thing come out of his mouth. Jon Ossoff was fresh, honest, caring. And his attitude was contagious.

So people started talking. To one another. About politics. Okay, I’m going to stop right here. You know the old rule that says never talk about politics? I think that is absolutely absurd. And you know what? That ship has sailed. We’re talking about politics. Everywhere. Why? Because we have to. Too much is at stake. And only in a country as wealthy and privileged as America would we ever utter such an absurdity. Or worse – not even take the time to inform ourselves and vote.

But I digress. Fast forward to June 20th. The official Ossoff campaign viewing party. My husband and I show up. The room is electric. Media takes up half the ballroom. The crowd is – well, the crowd is the future. It’s black, white, young, old, gay, straight, a rainbow of nations. When I was boots on the ground for this campaign, sometimes I’d forget to look up. One June 20th, I looked up. I looked around. And I was overwhelmed. This was hope. This was the future to come. This was Martin Luther King’s speech. In a room. All together. Full of hope.

When the polls came in and Jon conceded, my hope didn’t fade. Somehow, it intensified. Maybe it was the crowd. Maybe it was my experience over these last months – the people I met, the passion we felt to make a difference. The way conversations about politics transcended party loyalty. Maybe it was Jon’s words about how he truly believes we are more united than divided, words I’ve heard him say – in person – more than once. But I have hope.

No, Jon Ossoff didn’t win. But we turned a +20 red district distinctly purple. Purple has always been my favorite color. Now I think I know why. Because purple is a mix of two colors, red and blue. In it’s boldest shade it’s common ground, equal parts of the best of us all. Purple brings hope. And purple may just be the only way forward.

Happy Birthday, America. Here’s to the next chapter in your history, being written right here and now, by the people.