“If they come for you, I will not let them take you.”
These words were first said—jokingly—to my two Japanese roommates. They were accompanied by the question asked, jokingly: If Trump becomes President, will we have to hide you guys?
We didn’t think we’d be here, today, asking ourselves this question, joking the furthest thing from our minds.
“If they come for you, I will not let them take you.”
What started out as a joke has become the most sincere promise I can offer to those around me. Those who are scared—for their lives, for the lives of their friends, their family, or total strangers. Since Donald Trump became president-elect, a day has not passed when I haven't had to say these words.
I said them when my friend broke down Sunday night, sobbing, worried that Mike Pence would force her into “conversion therapy” because of who she loves.
I said them to my mother when she called me, her voice quiet and calculated, as she asked me, Hannah, when is your tuition due for second semester? I want to make sure you are safe and taken care of because did you see who Trump just appointed to be his White House senior counselor?
At that point, I had seen who he’d appointed: Steve Bannon, an active white supremacist, racist, and Anti-Semite.
My mother was worried because she’s Jewish—because I’m Jewish.
There are a lot of people out there right now who are scared. So many people are scared of what tomorrow will bring. So many people are scared because of who they love or what they look like or what God they pray to.
But for every person who is scared, there is someone who is standing staunch, dismissing their fear. They are saying:
Can’t we all just come together?
Why are you being like this? Stop being so negative.
Trump hasn’t even taken office yet; just give him a chance.
But these statements do nothing to alleviate our fears. They just make the walls seem smaller, like the room is caving in on us. These statements do nothing but placate and normalize the situations we minorities find ourselves in.
Can’t we all just come together?
No. Donald Trump doesn't believe climate change is real. Donald Trump has called Mexicans rapists. Donald Trump has made fun of overweight people. Donald Trump has said that he would date his daughter if she wasn't, actually, HIS DAUGHTER. Donald Trump has bragged about sexually harassing women.
Why are you being like this? Stop being so negative.
No. Donald Trump has appointed Steve Bannon to his cabinet. Donald Trump has been endorsed by the KKK. Donald Trump has no idea what he's talking about when it comes to foreign policy. Donald Trump has threatened to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Donald Trump wants to ban Muslims from entering the United States. Donald Trump wants to implement a mass deportation of immigrants.
Trump hasn’t even taken office yet; just give him a chance.
Please see above.
“If they come for you, I will not let them take you.”
This is my promise to my roommates, my friends, and my family. But this is also my promise to you. I may not know you. You may just be another face in the crowd. But I am promising this to you, and I am asking that you promise it to others.
Do not let fear ruin you, because then they—Trump and Pence and Bannon and every other xenophobic, racist, LBGTQ-phobic, misogynist, white supremacist who has been normalized— will have won.
Light your menorah. Wear your hijab. Shout “I’m a Nasty Woman!” from the highest rooftops. Hold onto your significant other’s hand, no matter what they look like. Embrace yourself. Love yourself.
But most importantly, fight for the people around you to have these rights. Stay silent about discrimination no longer. A safety pin is nice, but it is meaningless. As the old adage goes: Actions speak louder than words.
And when the days seem to be endless, when the nights seem to be too dark to fight through, when your soul feels too weathered to battle the storm, reach out your hand and your heart, and look for the people who are saying, “If they come for you, I will not let them take you.”
