While as a smaller community here at the College of Wooster, and as the country as a whole have been shaken in the days since the election, today I was able to find a bright spot amidst the pain. Today I participated in my first peaceful protest. I stood in the cold, in silence, linked arm-in-arm with friends, peers, faculty and staff and even people from the community. We held signs and we stood together in a show of strength.
We weren't protesting the results of the election or expecting for that to change; instead, we were protesting the acts of hate that this election has given rise to not only here in Wooster but across the country. We were standing together to show each other and the town around us that we will not be defeated and we will not allow hate to win.
In the days since the election there has been an increased amount of hate speech directed at students from townspeople as they drive through campus. There have been racist slurs and sexist comments directed at members of my community. While the college has done everything in it's power to combat this and the community has rallied together to hold each other up and provide support to those who have felt threatened, today we stood up for ourselves and we stood together.
As I stood in the cold shivering, I looked around me and saw familiar faces. I saw staff and faculty members standing with us. I saw peers and friends and as we stood there and the people drove through several of them reached out to us in support. People drove through and held up peace signs, thumbs up and honked their horns to show their support.
Today has shown me that no matter how much hate has risen up around us there is even more love. To those of you who are not fortunate to be in a loving and supporting community during this time know that you are not alone. Know that there are people across the country fighting for love and fighting for your rights and your safety. The one good thing to come from this election is the call for action. Previously it was easy enough to stay quiet, now we must stand together and for each other. I understand that not everyone is in the position to donate, volunteer or protest for a multitude of reasons so all I ask is that you do not let this defeat you. All I ask is that now more than ever you keep love in your hearts. I ask that you treat those around you with love and kindness and support everyone. No matter what. Hate may have won this battle but love will win this war.
