Right now, I am scared. I am not scared of the 2016 election results solely because of Donald Trump’s becoming the presidential elect. While some of his promised policies concern me, I also realize that he is but one man who will have to abide by checks and balances established by the US government. I am not scared of the fact that in addition to our president position, our house and senate will be under Republican control even though I am a registered Democrat. I have great friends and family who are Republican. I am perfectly fine compromise and the concept of agreeing to disagree; that’s the beauty of this country. What I am scared of, is the hatred that has been ignited by the Trump campaign towards various groups of people. This hatred is based on no grounds other than demographic descriptors that happen to not match those of the attackers.
I am scared that people are taking the Trump election as permission to engage in hate crimes across the United States. In the past weeks, stories about people being threatened simply because of differences in race and religion have been coming out of the woodworks. From a black woman being harassed with racial slurs at a gas station by four men and told “I should just kill you right now…you are a waste of air” to a Muslim woman’s hijab being ripped off, to racist messages being spread even in bathroom stalls of public bathrooms, this is scary. This is wrong. This should not and cannot be accepted.
It is sickening to think that despite the diversity of the population in this country, and the strides that have been made in this country to be more accepting, this type of mentality is still present. Trump's messages of "making America great again" have been taken by many to mean making America intolerant towards people who do not fit a certain mold. Trump's win should not be an excuse to spew hatred. It just shouldn't be.
People are not protesting the win of Donald Trump because they are "crybabies"; they are protesting the ways in which supporters are hatefully acting out in result to it. People are scared of the days and weeks to come living in such a divided country, where such hatred and intolerance is coming to the forefront. People are scared because this hatred is being so boldly demonstrated. People are scared for the well being of themselves and those they love/care. And to the people who say "'we' weren't protesting in 2008 and 2012 when Obama won", this is not about being upset because of "our" candidate losing. This is about lives being feared for due to threatening words and actions from people motivated by the election. Truth be told, there are many people who weren't enthusiastic for Hillary, but were solely frightened by the alternative.
In his victory speech, Trump called for unity of the nation. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing; to live in a great country. The definition of a great country should not include people being scared to leave their homes; scared to simply exist. The hate has to end. We have to figure out a way to appreciate differences and use them to come together as a country. I am still scared, but I am also hopeful. The election has come to a close; let's work towards making the hate that has come with it end too.
