After Trump won the election, it was like a portal opened up that made people think that being racist was okay. It has not been a week, yet there have been many uproars in the U.S. Many students on their college campuses are standing up and showing solidarity. Yet, there have also been many incidents where people of color are being targeted.
The day after Trump won, I went to a protest at the University of Notre Dame where we linked arms to stand in solidarity with many other students. I had gone to protests before, but I had never been in protest where I felt so much anger, hate, and so many mixtures of emotions. As we screamed what we stood for, I found myself crying. My crying was triggered by the tears of the men and women that passed by in our support and that stood to watch, take pictures of us, or show some sign of support. My crying was triggered by the Trump supporters that literally thought that we should not exist because we are not white, privileged, or are the LGTBQ community. I found myself in tears when Trump supporters shouted out, “The people have spoken,” and looked at us amazed by how on earth we were wrong for doing what we did. It was so sad to see that there were people that actually thought it was wrong for us to stand up for ourselves and everything that Trump has put against us even more than what society did already.
As we were streaming live from Facebook and from the South Bend Tribune, the comments that the people posted were so disgusting to read. Comments like, “Cry babies,” “Oh no, they didn’t get what they wanted for President let me guess now they are offended,” “I just wonder how many of these spoiled brats even bothered to actually vote.” All of these comments from people that actually think that what Trump has imposed is actually correct.
After the election, it stirred up more racist acts on many campuses across America, including my own. At the protest, a roommate held up a sign that stated, “Undocumented, unafraid, unapologetic.” Three simple words that together are very empowering. A friend of hers took a picture thanking her for teaching her about what being undocumented means and for going to her first protest with my roommate. My roommate was later targeted because someone decided to take a picture of the previous image and said, "*Calls local inforcement* Hello officer I'd like to report an undocumented, unafraid, unapologetic illegal ready for deportation." And what was done about this situation? Nothing. N-O-T-H-I-N-G. The person that did this was not even given a "Slap on the wrist" and was moved onto our floor. Great job Saint Mary's. You have officially made my roommates and I feel unsafe and uncomfortable, but you accommodated the person that should be punished.
I love my school. I love how small it is and how some people are so welcoming. I hate that it does not live up to what it promises: sisterhood and community. I know the faculty and staff here try so hard to make sure this is promised to the girls on my campus, but there is more that can be done.
Many similar and worse acts have occurred in many places, but what matters is what the schools do to make sure acts like these do not continue to happen. What matters is what the schools and other institutions decide to take matters in their own hands and actually do something, opposed to sending emails and saying that bullying will not be tolerated. Although we have done protests at Notre Dame and my campus, nothing is being done. We are told that our president is “with us” and that she wore a safety pin to show her solidarity, but what is being done? When we come here, we are promised sisterhood and community and we are not promised this now when we need it the most. We are expected to turn around and look the other way. We are expected to let it go and move on. My family expects me to stop posting pictures or posts on social media, so that I do not make myself obvious and a target. My family expects me to keep quiet and do what I am supposed to be doing, but how when everywhere I go here I am looked at as though I am not enough? I am looked at and automatically thought of as different because I am not white. So, to my family and everyone that expects me to stay quiet about this:
No, I will not remain quiet. Of course, I will keep doing well in school-but at the same time- I will fight for every right to show that I do matter, that I am a person, that I am worthy of living, that I am just as important.
The Mission of Saint Mary’s College says, “We sustain a vital community where each member is valued and where all are bound by a common purpose. In an atmosphere of mutual respect, we are called to share responsibility for the success of the College’s mission. The value of Community helps us to create an authentic community within society. This community is formed by individuals who understand, honor, and celebrate diversity as a necessary prerequisite to unity. It is this unity that leads the community toward a common vision and the fulfillment of the College’s mission.”
