I wake up to an America I do not recognize.

The unimaginable has happened. America has elected president a racist, misogynist bully with no filter, no experience, no gutter he won’t stoop to.

And it did it with its eyes wide open.

Maya Angelou said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

Donald Trump has been nothing but honest about who he is.

He called Mexicans rapists and promised to build a wall along the border.

He would ban Muslims from entering the country.

He said women who have abortions should be punished.

He mocked a disabled reporter.

He singled out other reporters for repeated abuse.

He made fun of a Gold Star family.

Women who displease him? He targeted their looks.

He boasted of his ability to commit sexual assault because of his celebrity.

He has vowed to do something about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. He supports laws that would allow people to discriminate against gays. (I have to note his vice president, Mike Pence, supports conversion therapy. Quite a pair we’re getting.)

The Affordable Health Care Act? First thing to go.

A man who couldn’t be trusted with his own Twitter account will now be in charge of the nuclear codes.

All this, America knew.

And still this country turned out in record numbers to award him the highest office of the land.

In spurning a woman who has spent her life in public service for a man who has only been in the business of feeding his massive ego, America has inflicted a devastating wound on its image not only here but across the globe. Our allies do not know what to make of a man who does not like to read and study and prefers to rely on the advice of those around him.

How did he pull off this stunning upset? How were the polls so wrong? White people didn’t want to admit that they liked the message of a racist – but once they were in the privacy of the voting booth, they were able to reward their heart’s desire. CNN’s Van Jones called it a “white-lash.”

For women, people of color, and lesbians and gays, the next four years look to be terrifying. I fear for this nation like I never have before.

President Obama, one of the most decent, compassionate leaders in the world, will be succeeded by the man who led the birther movement and denied the legitimacy of his lawfully elected position for eight years.

The universe has a cruel and sick sense of humor.

Hate won.

This day.

Now the rest of us must find a way to get past our shock and disgust and grief and make sure it does not claim any others.