My campus is silent.
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I woke up Wednesday morning to the sound of a Samsung alarm after falling asleep late the previous night while watching the CNN election coverage. At that time, it looked like Donald Trump was going to take it, but no one was quite sure yet.
"Shit." It came from above me. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, but I knew what had happened.
I knew the day would be full of stiffness and discomfort and fear. But on a campus in the heart of the Bible Belt, I knew it would be full of loud agreement with the oppressive policies of our next president, Mr. Donald J. Trump.
I'd been awake roughly an hour-and-a-half, and I was so uncomfortable in my skin that I couldn't sit still. I wanted to vomit. I wanted to cry. But there I was, walking around and pretending that I was fine.
Newsflash: I'm not fine, and neither are several million Americans who identify as LGBT, Female, Muslim, Latinx, Black, Secular, or Disabled.
This isn't something we can just get over - Donald Trump winning means people WANTED this. People were okay with the fact that this man is adamant about taking away the rights of several million American residents.
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My campus stopped being silent when the fraternities woke up.
Some wore signs around as shirts, and refused to make room on the sidewalk for women and people of color.
Some shouted obscene things as they took to the sidewalks. Some plastered their hatred around Facebook, infiltrating support groups and relentlessly objectifying minorities. Some people who used to drunk dial me and act embarrassingly stupid are now mocking my mere existence, and they think that's okay.
It's not.
Some of us have the strength to take it, to fight back against this massive injustice that is a Donald Trump Presidency. But some have been dealing with this for far to fight back any longer.
If you are the former, please, take a stand for what's right. Take a stand for human rights that are sure to come within close proximity to violation. Even if you won't be affected by most of the shenanigans (white Christian men, I'm looking at you), you can still help. You can hold a sign at a local protest - you can make it known that you are an ally. You can donate to organizations fighting to protect those in danger, whether it's through money or volunteer time. You don't have to sit silent and watch this injustice continue to happen. Stand up.
And if you are scared, or worried, or tired of the fight, I want you to know I'm here for you, and I will fight for you. Don't let this be the thing that breaks you. I know the hardships you have faced and are facing, and I will stand in the middle of my campus and protest until you are given the respect you deserve. I will wear this safety pin (even if it is nearly useless, as so many have felt the need to point out) so you know you can talk to me - so you know you can cry on my shoulder if you need to. I don't want you to feel alone, because there are many of us who are fighting back for you.
If you need more than we can provide, please click here for some additional resources that can help you through this.
Remember, although we are divided, the voices of one side -our side- can drown the voice of the other with poise and intelligence.
