November 9th, I opened my eyes to the beginning of sunlight peaking through my window. I peeled my sleepy heavy head off of my pillow and woke up, late as usual. President Obama was right in his short election day address - the sun did indeed rise. Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States of America, and though my own personal thoughts and beliefs may not align with him, I believe more than ever in America. And the sun still rose, and I was still slightly late for work. I drowsily looked at my phone to see a stream of email notifications from Politico.com breaking news updates, telling me what I already knew. I showered like I always do, I drank coffee as I always do, and the Chicago red line train was still crowded. I see social media blowing up - with a range of posts from apathetic, to distraught, to ecstatic.
This election could be easily seen as one of the most significant and most surprising political events of the past couple decades. We had experienced contentious elections in the past, truly most American elections are quite contentious. However, Trump has been the most unlikely candidate, who has somehow, someway superseded controversy, doubt and straight up hate from so many Americans. He is the only candidate in a very long time who does not seem to filter what he says or even really care what so many people think of him. How did he win? He won due to a grossly unhappy American population; no magic tricks, no smoke and mirrors. The democratic party has had presidential power for the past 8 years and they were unable to clinch this election. Who is truly fed up?
In past campaign and primary coverage, Trump has been able to appeal to the working middle class. The middle class and others who typically never vote, came out in droves on election day. It has been reported that the average Trump supporters household brings in about $72,000. These are not his wealthy real estate friends. This election was not rigged, regardless of how many feel, Trump won fair and square and overcame incredible odds. Trump though being in the public eye for quite some time, came out of nowhere as a political and presidential candidate. He spoke his mind, he came across with a simple platform, and overall he is exactly what every other political candidate is not. This won him the highest office in the nation. The average American had not felt like their voice has been heard. Perhaps, what most people voted for was not Trump, but for mass political party reform? The radicalization of the two parties brought this upon us. So many Americans do not vote for who they believe in, they vote against what they hate.
A factor that is most telling, is the handful of states that historically have gone blue, this time are bright red. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan all have swung to the democrats in the past 20 years worth of presidential elections. 2016 changed all of that. Again, many people felt they needed to see something different and ultimately take a chance on the unknown.
America is a great country. But we have a democracy where the party you support will not indefinitely hold power. Politicians ebb and flow and policies begin and end. Being a third party, independent voter - I understand this more than anyone. We have an incredibly diverse country, we will never have easy elections, and that is OK. We will never think the same, and that is beautiful. We will never be the same, but that does not have to divide us. This is democracy and this is how it works. Engage with your local politics, advocate for what you believe. And furthermore, never stop believing in and working towards the world as you would like to see it. Do not complain - Act, Advocate, Engage. The sun will always rise.
