My friend and I were sitting on the floor in the hallway of our dorm building. It was just past three in the morning. His face was in his hands; my eyes were trained on the floor. We sat there together for a while, almost entirely in silence. There was a heavy feeling of defeat that settled over us. I didn’t know what to say, other than the occasional muttering of, I just can’t believe it. We were quiet for a bit. Then he said to me, “I don’t know if I want to leave America and never look back, or stay and fight.”
Neither of us ever expected this outcome. A lot of people didn’t. I think many of us are in shock that someone so vile and hateful could make his way into the oval office. People were saying not to worry about it, because they didn’t believe Trump could actually do anything. But they weren’t paying attention to the rest of the election. The Republicans won the House. And the Senate. Trump has free reign. This is a right-wing controlled country.
The reality of this election is that America is screwed. Truly and utterly screwed. We let someone with no political experience become our president. He has several failed businesses. He has gone bankrupt four times. He has openly bragged about sexually assaulting women. He is going to be on trial for rape. Twice. The list could go on, but the point is that Donald Trump is not a man fit to be president.
I’m not that old. I’ve only been alive for five elections, and I only remember three of them clearly. But I’m pretty sure this is not how an election should go. I’m pretty sure that the reality of a candidate becoming president shouldn’t bring people to tears. People should not be calling suicide hotlines at the closing of an election. Marginalized people should not be afraid to step outside because they’re afraid for their safety. And yet, this has been the reality of the 2016 election.
People who say this presidency isn’t going to be “that bad” are lying. It’s going to be truly terrible. Even if Trump just turns out to be a sitting duck in office, the social effects of his victory are still around. The bravado of his despicable supporters will flourish. The blatant hatred towards Muslims, POCs, and other marginalized groups will become far more apparent than it already is.
The reality of 2016 is frightening, but I’ve never been more inspired to fight for what I believe in. I’ve never wanted to make a change more in my life. I’ve made jokes about moving to Canada (even though in reality, Canada would still get hit with nuclear radiation), but I will stay and fight.
I am a biromantic asexual. I am a woman. I will yield my voice to Muslims, to immigrants, to blacks, to the transgendered. Trump’s America is not my America, and I will not rest until everyone feels safe, until we all are secure. We need to unite, and peacefully make our voices heard.
He is not my president.
