I went to bed crying last night. I went to bed with a huge pit in my stomach, feeling so hopeless and betrayed by my country. I woke up to a silent campus. It took all I had to get myself out of my bed, afraid to walk outside to face my new country, a completely different country. I’m angry. Angry that my country chose to elect this man who represents and promotes a culture of hate, a culture that instills fear and transforms innocent groups into targeted scapegoats. I’m scared. I’m scared for the children who will turn on the TV and see an unqualified man who they cannot look up to or admire during their most formative years. This is something that will be hard for all of to accept, but hopefully, eventually, our anger will turn into hope and into inspiration. It will turn into a burning passion to continue the fight to support. Please don’t threaten to move to Canada. No matter what happened yesterday, America is still our America. We still live in the greatest country in the world. In many countries you wouldn’t even be able to leave the country if you wanted to. You wouldn’t be able to even vote for a candidate, and without the precedent that has been set by our country for a peaceful transfer of power, our country would be up in flames right now. 45% of eligible voters didn’t vote. Our vote is our voice, a voice that is such a sacred and unique part of being an American. Not voting is doing yourself, and the country a huge disservice.
Don’t give up on this country. This country has been through hell and back since 1776. The election results are disheartening and so, so concerning, but take a look back in history and you will find some much needed perspective. The Trail of Tears, the Dred Scott Decision of 1857, The Stock Market Crash of 1929, Japanese Internment Camps, Bay of Pigs, the war in Vietnam, 9/11, the ‘Invasion of Iraq’. All horrific parts of American history, but we have used these moments to propel America forward. We must use this ‘Election of 2016’ that will forever be written about in history books, as a fuel to get more involved, to get more educated and become better advocated for what we believe.
He may have won the Presidency, but we can’t let our country become a land based on fear, hate, racism and xenophobia. Now is not the time to give up hope. Now, more than ever our country is in need of support. Mourn, be upset, you are allowed to feel this way. I feel it too. But please, please do not give up hope. Hope is our most powerful tool. Please don’t move to Canada. We will learn from our mistakes, and this country will continue to become stronger if we do not stop pushing for what is right. Don’t let our differences divide this country to the point of no return. Remember, this is temporary and in four years we will again have a choice to make, and hopefully the next President we elect will be one promoting diversity, acceptance and love, not fear and hatred. Yet, this is all dependent on how we choose to act between now and the next election. Fight for what you believe in and for the people who need the country’s support the most and remember, that love will ALWAYS trump hate.
