It’s been a couple of days since the election and I still have trouble grasping the reality of it. That night, hate had won. But it only won for a split second, because Secretary Clinton informed us to never stop fighting for what we believe to be right.
In fact, Secretary Clinton showed us more than any other candidate ever could. She showed us grace, loyalty, and drive. She may not have broken the glass ceiling, but she showed us the possibility. She may have lost, but America won because of her. America gained the inspiration needed to continue on. To each woman who isn’t sure of who she is, Hillary Clinton reminded us that a woman can truly do anything.
A friend recently shared an article with me written for The New York Times by Jessica Bennett and it couldn't have been more fitting personally. This recent election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump was more than a difference of political beliefs. It was an election based on differences of gender, qualifications, and loyalty. The article states "that a woman has to be twice as qualified to be perceived as once as good; and that her mistakes will be scrutinized more harshly and remembered longer than those of her male peers." This couldn't have been more true.
Personally, I wasn't angry at the outcome of this election. I was shocked and hurt because I didn't realize how much of a bubble I was living in. I thought our nation was on the same page — how could a man who degrades woman be given so much praise? How could a man who doesn't take the time to look past race be given the responsibility of presidency? These questions went on forever in almost every conversation I had and they all led to the most important one — how did the less-qualified candidate win?
Let's begin.
She applies for an internship - hours are spent perfecting her resume and making sure she understands what she is actually applying for. Before the interview, multiple concerns are running through her mind because she doesn’t want to mess this one up. You see, she wants this job more than anything in the world and she just hopes that her hard work and dedication pay off. To the numerous hours spent decoding the ambiguities of what this job could lead to, she realizes that she has never felt so passionate about something before. How can she be passionate about a job she doesn’t have? She doesn’t know what this feeling is, but this uncertainty is what drives her. If she feels this way, there must be so many other applicants who feel just as she does. If this is really the case, how can she stand out?
Day of the interview: She sits down with her hair brushed against her shoulders and her hands clenching her resume. She looks at the other candidate – he’s in a simple suit. He’s on the phone with one headphone in, no resume at hand. He seems qualified, collected, and at ease. His music blares from the other side of the room and he's chewing his gum to the off-beat of whatever song he decided was fitting for the pre-interview nerves. He glances at her and looks her up and down, ignoring the qualifications in her hand. He smirks at her and without hesitation, looks back down at his phone. You see, his goal isn’t the job itself, but it’s rather to prove that he can get it without having the need to share the same passion and drive as her. It's a matter of differences, but the interesting thing is the interviewer gives them both the time of day and she ultimately receives the rejection letter.
Ultimately, the man in the suit and tie got the job. Maybe it was his hair slicked back or maybe it was his way with words, but she can tell you one thing: it wasn’t his qualifications. She deserved the job, but she thought maybe it was because she was a woman. Actually, it was because she was a woman and she desired to beat this statistic.
On that day, she didn’t degrade the other candidate with her eyes. She didn’t glance him up and down. Instead, she saw a man and a suit and she didn’t think of that to be a defining factor. He had the right to be given the same chance as her, but she didn't realize that her hard work meant nothing to his suit and tie. She wouldn’t have been upset if this candidate carried the same desire as her. If he had just held a resume, she wouldn’t have been so confused. If he had the same drive as her, she would have felt okay. She would have accepted the defeat because at least the other candidate would have been just as passionate and qualified. But instead, this male candidate saw a female and automatically felt at ease because even with her perfect resume, this was no competition for him. I mean, after all, he did get his tie the night before. Dedication meant leaving it to the last minute, right?
This election was a turning point for us dreamers. Hillary Clinton served as a role model by not stooping down against harsh words. She dealt with so much hatred and still never took the road her opponent did. In fact, she stayed so strong during her concession speech. It was inspiring and truly admirable. She screamed integrity and passion and showed the whole world that this loss wasn’t going to prevent her from fighting for what she stood for. She inspired us in ways that no male candidate ever could. She stood tall when her mistakes were brought up to the public, unlike her candidate who took the road more traveled.
I’m not going to lie. It hurt to watch Hillary Clinton’s concession speech. She deserved this win. Maybe we all didn’t agree with her policies, but she had what the president-elect didn't: respect and love. She respected those before her and more importantly, she respected the true meaning of “one nation under God.” We are all part of one race – the human race and that’s what she constantly reiterated.
Just an election you say? Tell that to those who are scared of what’s to come. Tell that to those families who have given their all to provide for their children. Tell that to the city that suddenly became quiet the next day. I don’t resent anyone who voted for Mr. Trump, but I’m rather saddened by what it’s led to. Look at what he has influenced – our siblings, our families, and our neighbors don’t deserve to grow up in a world where hatred is bred.
Please remember this, hatred is not inherent. It’s learned. But, because it is learned it can also be unlearned. We have come so far as a country and we refuse to move backward.
To Secretary Clinton, I want to thank you for displaying the importance of standing firm when times get tough. You have earned America’s utmost respect. Your message to our country will NEVER be forgotten. You have inspired young women everywhere and we continue to listen to your words of wisdom. With this in mind, we will follow your word especially during moments of defeat. We will never stop fighting for what we believe is right. We will respect the outcome, but we will never forget the lessons you have taught us. You have inspired millions in ways that no other candidate ever has. There is a whole country who admires you for giving your life to aspire for a better America. Because of you, we are all coming together to make sure that what we stand for is never forgotten.
We stand with our brothers and sisters, not because we have to, but because we know that is what’s right. This is what you have taught us. Our hearts are whole and full of so much love for each other because of you.
I promise to be accepting of the outcome. You can't defeat hate with more hate, only love can do so.
To everyone out there feeling lost, scared, confused, hurt, and frustrated: remember you are NEVER alone. We can only go up from here. After all, look at how 18-25 year old’s voted. Our voices are our trademark and we owe it to Secretary Clinton to keep doing so. America, you are not alone. We are all in this together. Let's keep going.
"This is how the future voted. This is what people 18-25 said in casting their votes. We must keep this flame alight and nurture this vision." - Eliza Byard
