It does not matter how you voted. It does not matter. There are people who are afraid for their lives because of Donald Trump's win. The day after, women of multiple backgrounds voiced their fears about how they felt on campus, about how they felt about their place in this country. It broke my heart to see these strong women afraid to be who they are.
As I sat in class two days after the election, I listened to a classmate explain her own unique fears. She explained why people should not be seen as angry when they voice their opinions and worries. She explained the fears she had a black woman as the nation began the trek into a Trump presidency. She highlighted how no one was afraid of Trump, but they were of afraid of the people who supported him.
It is very difficult to deny that Trump's campaign has given a voice for people who are bigoted, racist, and cruel. Whether intentionally or not, he has validated their actions. The United States has elected a man who has made racist comments and alluded to sexually assaulting women. He has validated the actions of sexual offenders. He has given hope to white supremacy groups such as the KKK. Despite what some people want to believe, those mindsets will not be as easily diminished time goes on. These type of people have found a figurehead in Trump.
You have no doubt seen or shared the memes concerning the fears of minority groups, including women. These are valid fears. Muslim women are afraid to express their religious beliefs now because groups of people have made it painstakingly clear that they are not welcome to do so. In addition to this, educate yourself about the religions that exist within our country (for the love of all things good, DO NOT pull your information from Facebook articles). People leave their homelands not just because they want to, but because they have to.
You cannot look at someone and tell them that what they are feeling is wrong. This is why we have such a emotional divide in the country. People are so quick to say that people have no right to feel the way they do, despite not having lived their life.
No one lives the same life. We are so guilty of ethnocentrism in that we measure people's live by our own, especially those of different cultures. A white man cannot compare himself to a black man. We cannot push Christian values on to people who are not Christian.
If a black woman says that she is afraid of what she will endure now, there is no reason for you to tell her everything will be okay. It might be okay for you, but something in her life has given her pause to say that. Listen to understand why they are afraid, listen to know what you can do to make them not feel that way.
One the flip side, it is also important to understand why most people (I assume) voted for Trump and supported him despite all of his many shortcomings. So many people are disenchanted with our current government. They feel betrayed and unheard and they want change. Whether or not Trump is worthy of the movement he represents is something we have yet to see, but nevertheless he represents the change that many people want (which is a different discussion).
Express your anger constructively. The riots and protesting will do nothing but further the divide we as a nation have created. Go out and promote inclusiveness. Educate people about false misconceptions. Get involved in the political system and become a leader. There is no better way to solve a problem other than going out and solving it. This also goes back to listening. Do not lash out at people, do not just comment and walk away. If you can admit that your candidate was not who you truly wanted, then live up to that. You can still criticize your choice, you can still agree with someone else.
Never give up. We are expecting the government to fix this nation's problem, but we forget that we are the true leaders of this country. We ELECT, we ultimately DECIDE, and we are the ones who LIVE here. The Constitution protects us from a terrible government. Remember to exercise your rights everyday, remember to speak out against injustices, and live your life.
Lastly, give Donald Trump a chance. It is a bitter pill to swallow, but this is who we have ended up with. In his defense, he has promised to be a different person that who we have seen, and whether this is true has yet to be determined. I know that his policies have the potential to be damaging. If we can educate people in why, instead of shouting why, then maybe we have an actual chance of swaying the nation.
