To the editor:

Never in my lifetime did I think my friends — whose skin is a different color than mine — would live in fear.

Never in my lifetime did I think those who love someone of the same sex would be afraid to exist as themselves.

Never in my lifetime did I think my older friends, who worked their whole lives and now depend on Social Security, would fear for their future.

Never in my lifetime did I think families struggling to put food on the table — relying on aid meant to help them survive — would fear losing what little they have left.

This is 2025. This is America. And never did I believe we would be here.

Those who cast their votes knowing it would bring harm to others — who chose fear, division, and suffering over compassion and justice — should be ashamed. They should be ashamed of turning their backs on people of color, on LGBTQ+ individuals, on the elderly who spent their lives working, and on struggling families just trying to survive.

They should be ashamed of prioritizing power over humanity, cruelty over kindness, and ignorance over truth.

This is 2025.

This is America.

And history will remember.

Lisa Westcott Schaa

Webster City