It is an oddly humbling feeling to have the blinders ripped so violently off of your eyes. Before Tuesday, November 8th, I naively believed that age old belief that America is the land of dreams. My parents have been preaching the same thing since I was old enough to hear: this country will work for me. I will grow up and do anything in the world I wish to do in this great nation of America. I must be patriotic for this country which has worked so hard to preserve my freedoms. Yesterday, I learned what the people of this country value and it cut my heart to shreds.
The people of the United States decided yesterday that they were willing to accept a nation of hate. As I sat in my dorm room surrounded by my friends, women, black, transgender, I hurt. I felt my heart gradually sink as this nation showed me how much it truly does not care about me or my loved ones. The daughters, mothers, and sisters of America will live under a president who's said the words "grab her by the pussy." The LGBTQ+ community of America will live under a vice president who has openly supported conversion therapy. The POC population of America will live under a president who has been endorsed by the KKK. Our Muslim countrymen will live under a president who does not welcome them. This country has chosen to elect a man who has insulted the majority of America. The New York Times published the below page spread listing everything and everyone Trump has openly insulted since declaring his candidacy. This is not the president of all Americans.
As I write this, we are three days removed from the election and my main concern is no longer Mr. Trump but rather his supporters. By no means do I accuse the group as a whole, but the attitude I have seen firsthand from those of the winning party has terrified me. Wednesday morning, I participated in a peaceful demonstration to promote peace and love on my campus. Throughout the three hours I stood holding a sign reading "LOVE TRUMPS HATE" above my head, I was laughed at, yelled at, and taunted. I endured angry male voices chanting "Build a wall!" I stood silent as these men laughed in my face. But this is far from the worst that is happening.
These are only two of many examples of this new, emboldened hatred. Across the country, minorities are learning that America does not love them. This country is not acting like the Patria we know. Though I feel safe in my community, there is now a quiet nagging in the back of my brain. It spills concern into my consciousness. It sets off alarms of paranoia. I fear that the next time my roommates and I take Atlanta public transport, we will be harassed or worse. I fear that some of my best friends and members of my family will be harmed simply because of their skin color. The election of Mr. Trump has emboldened those among his supporters who feel free to hate as they please. I do not feel safe in this country today.Yet despite this hatred that is weighing my heart and hunching my shoulders, I am optimistic. I will love this country for as long as it takes. I will fight this hatred until love wins again. As Lady Liberty weeps today, I believe that her tears will dry. America, you are still my homeland. I don't know who you are anymore, but I will love you until you remind me. God bless the USA and God bless true, honest liberty.
