Giving A Voice To The Voiceless: The Aftermath Of The 2016 Election | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Giving A Voice To The Voiceless: The Aftermath Of The 2016 Election

All voices deserve to be heard.

18
Giving A Voice To The Voiceless: The Aftermath Of The 2016 Election
B&T

After scrolling through Facebook last week, my father came to me and asked exactly why so many people are afraid. "What's so scary about Donald Trump being elected?" he asked. For many people, this may seem like an infuriating question for my 59-year-old white father to ask, but I found it to be quite touching. He may not understand our fear, but he's willing to hear us out and make an effort to understand what's going on. Now, instead of just explaining to him the general things I've heard from others and personally felt myself or showing him some viral news stories, I decided to ask my Facebook friends. While this is by no means a "good" sample or way to fully understand the fear that so many are experiencing, it does provide a more personal, close-to-home experience.

Here is the prompt that I gave my Facebook friends:

"In an attempt to educate those who don't fully understand what has sparked fear in so many of us this week, would you please list something that has made you feel uncomfortable, afraid, or threatened in relation to the election?"

I received several responses, all of which are extremely emotional. These may be hard to read, but they're so, so important. It's important that every person be given a voice, especially when so many people refuse to listen.

“I feel upset and afraid about this election because when I tried to explain to a family member that I was upset about the election result because I am a sexual assault victim and I feel like no one is fighting for me now, he told me to 'fuck off,' and called me 'a liberal piece of shit.' Like I said, this was an immediate family member. It's so hard to think that not only is my country seemingly turning against me as a woman, but so is my family. That's what makes me scared. Donald Trump has opened up the floodgates, but we don't deserve to drown because of it.”

“One of the things I am afraid of because of Donald Trump being elected is that bullying and/or hate in general will be either given a neglectful eye or will be praised if it is on the grounds of skin color, sex, or even sexual preference.”

“I don't feel uncomfortable, afraid, or threatened for myself, but I worry about my friends' healthcare. About their marriages. About my students and their future opportunities. I'm sad and worried. I heard 'Go Trump! Build that wall!' over the PA system AT SCHOOL today, and I couldn't help wondering if we had any students with Mexican heritage, and how that made them feel.” 

"I'm scared because I don't know what will happen to my friends and family. I don't know if my father will disown me for being different and not like him. I'm scared because they want to put the people I care about most in prisons, in camps, to turn them straight. They want to shock my love ones. They want to kill my Muslim friends. I'm scared because all I see now is hate. I'm scared because I'm about to lose everyone I love. I'm scared because I'll die protecting them and my rights as a woman."


News stories, protests and social media rants all bring attention to our fear, and while it's important that our fear be recognized and acknowledged, it's also so, so important to remember that not everyone is comfortable being a part of these things. Some people don't want to be a viral sensation for standing up to Trump and his ideals. Some people don't feel safe going to protests. Some people aren't able to go to protests. Some people don't feel comfortable voicing an opinion on social media out of fear of offending family and friends. Some people are afraid of inciting violence against themselves simply for voicing a concern.

Some people aren't able to be heard because of fear.

While I've left the voices behind these fears anonymous, it's still so important that we listen to each and every voice. Being able to personally hear the fears and stories behind those fears of some of my friends was absolutely heartbreaking, but it was also so eye-opening. Obviously I understood the importance of helping everyone feel as though his/her/their fears are valid, but this took things to a whole new level. Knowing that these fears are so local and so prevalent in my community, my community, changed everything.

Any time you're given the chance, always listen to others. Give them a voice when no one else will. It's worth it. It's so, so worth it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

163368
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

49912
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

44562
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments