The days following the 2016 Presidential Election have been emotionally charged and frankly scary for citizens of America and the world. Unfortunately, our choice to put Mr. Trump in the highest office has spurred some ugly and hateful behavior that has threatened the safety of minority groups and women. Among some of the senseless acts of hate are racial slurs, public harassment, pro-Nazi graffiti and sexual assaults.
Reading some of these accounts will probably make you feel physically sick and even hopeless. It can make you feel like the good outweighs the bad in this world, or that all of the progress we’ve made as a human race is being ripped from our hands.
Because there is so much happening on a large scale, it is easy to feel like you are drowning in it and unable to make a difference. You may want to stand in solidarity with these groups, but are unsure of how to show your support.
Following Brexit, British people and immigrants faced similar harassment to what is currently being experienced in America. In response to these attacks, people began wearing a simple safety pin to demonstrate to others that they were a “safe” person or an ally.
For groups that are being targeted, public places can be scary. In crowded cities we are all strangers. Even populated places such as malls and grocery stores in suburban areas can pose a threat.
Americans have already started sharing their safety pins on social media, declaring their commitment to serving as an ally and making public places safer for those who have been put in danger following the election.
If this election has taught us anything, it's that fear is powerful. Fear is what motivated many people to vote for this man, and fear is fuel for hatred. In response to this election, we need to be stronger and realize that we can help people overcome fear. We can't be fearful at a time when so many people need our alliance and solidarity. Safety pins are a small reminder that we can all stand up to oppressors together and protect the rights and safety of everyone.
