It has been Just about a week since the 2016 Presidential Election and the puzzle pieces of the aftermath are still being put together. A positive piece of aftermath, which is something I think we all very much need, is the spreading of a simple symbol of unity; a silver safety pin.
This symbol of unity did not originate in America however, after the June 23rd vote to leave the European Union, Britain saw an outbreak of xenophobia channeled by threats, taunts, and even worse. This is when the hashtag #PostBrexitRacism started to trend as reports of harassment on buses, streets, and in cafes surfaced on social media.
Enter the safety pin movement.
Throughout a thread of tweets, twitter user “miss pommery 1926” about and idea of anyone against the racist violence that was happening could identify themselves as a “‘safe’ ally” and that a safety pin would conveniently serve as a literal badge, or pin, of safety.
Months later, America joined in.
After the recent presidential election there have been reports of harassment and intimidation from some Muslim women in hijabs. There is also a police investigation of the beating of a man by a group who yelled that the victim voted fro Trump in a Chicago neighborhood.
This past Friday the hashtag #safetypin was trending along with selfies posted of users proudly advertising their safety pins
“My #safetypin shows I will protect those who feel in danger bc of gender, sexuality, race, disability, religion, etc.,” a twitter user said, “You are safe with me.”. Another said “Standing together will be safe,”. Even actor Patrick Stewart flaunted his safety pin selfie!
Unfortunately there is some misunderstandings when it comes to this new trend.
A professor of mine had a safety pin on her shirt during class, and heard two white male students mumble angry words about her and her safety pin.
Wearing a safety pin does not mean you are a conservative or a liberal. It does not mean you are against Trump and his supporters. It does not mean you are against Hilary and her supporters. It does not mean you are against men, or against women. It does not mean you are against abortion or against those who are pro-choice. It means that you are against hate.
“I am safe. If you are Muslim, a woman, LGBQ, a person of color, Latinx, trans, and immigrant, disabled, afraid… I am here. Speak… I’ll listen. I’ll hold you. Stand up for you. Sit down for you. Shut up for you. Do what I can to let you know I love you. This sign is how you’ll know me. #safetypin”.
