On March 11, a rally for Trump was supposed to occur in Chicago. However, it was cancelled due to protests and fear of violence. This is what this election has come to. This is what we are calling politics today. I can’t think of any other way to explain it. It’s simply an embarrassment. I am embarrassed to call this election democracy.
Ever since Trump began making controversial claims, I tried to keep an open mind. It’s well known that media has a way of twisting words and elaborating facts. Besides that, I have friends and family that support both sides of the political spectrum and I know some who support Trump. However, the more I read, heard, and watched Trump and his campaign, the less respect I had for that side of the debate.
Whether or not you agree with our current President and his policies, I believe President Obama has consistently respected his position and his representation of our country as a whole. Being the first black president, he broke down social barriers and supported the ideal of diversity which encouraged Americans to feel safe and comfortable in their own skin. However, the way I see it, Trump has torn down any and all progress America has made. He has made our own American citizens become fearful for their lives. He has caused entire races to feel embarrassed for who they are and where they come from.
The rally in Chicago was shut down because of violence breaking out before it even began. While I understand that Trump has his policies and he has his reasons for his claims, he refused to take responsibility for this violence and this breakdown of American unity. Are other rallies being shut down due to violence? Are other politicians constantly being cited on the news for the number of protesters being kicked out of rallies? Is this the norm for democracy? No. It simply isn’t. However, Trump claimed after the shutdown of Chicago’s rally that people weren’t protesting against him -- they were protesting against economic frustrations. Really, Mr. Trump? He refused to recognize that his own words, his actions, and his policies were causing such divisions and such violence that democracy was failing to even exist.
With that statement, he refused to take responsibility for his out of control rallies and his continued destruction of democracy. People in this nation are supposed to feel safe and proud of being diverse. You know all those foreigners that you’re scared of Trump? Guess what. We’re all immigrants. This country is made up of immigrants. The fear that Trump has punctuated on is absolutely not a legitimate foundation for policy making. This simply isn’t how democracy works.
Trump is scared of foreigners and has encouraged Americans to feel the same. Foreigners and American citizens themselves are scared of this fear-mongering businessman named Trump. I'm scared of him. I'm scared of the violence that has become part of his campaign. I'm scared that one day I'll be one of his targets, too. I'm scared my friends and my family will become the new target of his hate and fear-mongering. I'm scared. This isn’t what democracy is supposed to look like.
For this reason, I refuse to acknowledge Trump as a legitimate choice for our country’s most respected political position. The position of U.S. President is supposed to bring honor to our nation and unite the people. I have yet to see this from Trump and if he cannot show respect for the American people and for citizens of countries around the world, our country will only continue to be divided and hateful. Please, fellow citizens, find someone else to support. I don't care if they're democrats or republicans, but all I know is that Trump has gone far enough and it's time to end this phase.
I still have faith that democracy can live on before it is torn apart by fear.
