So, it has been quite a couple of weeks with Donald J. Trump assuming power as president of the United States. There is uproar mixed in with praise from every citizen in the country. Some people consider him a man that can “Make America Great Again”, while others still question his legitimacy as a proper leader of the “free world”. Since his inauguration, people of the U.S have pretty much moved on since then, but there are still some feelings harbored inside. You, the world might be asking what is going on. Well, allow me, an American, explain to you the whole entire situation. I may not represent everyone in this country, but I will do my best to show you my perspective with a clear mind and lack of bias.
When Donald Trump decided to run for President, many people didn’t take him seriously at first. He was a businessman first, and a reality TV star second. The fact that he wanted to achieve the position of “commander-in-chief” was entirely shocking to pretty much everyone. The odds seemed heavily stacked against him, as there were a line of politicians that had seniority in the political career (compared to Trump). Then, he started talking about imaginary enemies of the country, which included Mexicans and Muslims. With the threat of ISIS still fresh in the minds of Americans, combined with the fear we were given from the events of 9/11, Trump used that said fear to gain popularity. He promised many things, especially making the country “great”. Many people longed the idea that this country would be back to its former glory, where anyone could be anything. Even if it meant achieving that goal, by any means necessary.
Soon, he won the primary, and the thought of Trump leading the country began to shape into reality. Supporters became increasingly violent towards Muslims, Hispanics, and others who simply didn’t agree with Trump. Families, friendships, and relationships were all torn apart because of this presidential campaign. It didn’t help that the soon-to-be president when he made comments of surveying mosques, building a wall, deporting immigrants, banning travel in certain countries, and grabbing women by the genitalia. Despite all of this, the people decided, and Trump was named president.
Donald Trump represents a people who chose safety over freedom. Granted, there is nothing wrong with choosing both, but when you become fixated on safety, it turns into paranoia. We’ve seen this before with the Salem Witch Hunts, The First and Second Red Scare, and Yellow Peril. With Trump as our president, history seems to start repeating itself. The obsession with safety turns into many things: xenophobia, fear, intimidation, discrimination, and racism. It becomes to the point where freedom soon fades away into the darkness, being outshined by the gnawing anxiety that this country isn’t as “great” as we think it is. We as Americans can only stand by and watch as our actions of sending this man into office, may have some serious consequences.
