I have feared the idea of a Trump presidency since the day he announced he would be running. And I have to admit, I fully convinced myself that there was not going to be such a thing. The more and more controversies that arose throughout the election, the more I feared it, but the more I told myself, "There's no way this guy can win."
So, as you can imagine, my reaction to his win was utter shock and heartbreak for many reasons. But as a survivor of sexual assault, it was most crushing to know that a man who objectifies women and has bragged about sexually assaulting women, is the new leader of our nation. My rape happened about four years ago and it took me years to overcome. Just recently I have finally felt like a SURVIVOR and no longer a victim. Donald Trump, however, is the epitome of the kind of person that sexual assault survivors avoid and fight so hard to overcome. Not only is it scary that he personifies this, but that millions of Americans voted for this. Americans that either were not directly effected by his hatred and ignorance, or simply didn't care.
The initial shock has worn off and despite how I feel about him, there is nothing I can do to change the fact that he is our president. What we can do, however, is use that fear and that heartbreak to (peacefully) make the changes that we believe in. I feel more motivated than ever to fight for what I believe in and I encourage you to feel the same.
It's okay to disagree with other people's views, but it is not okay to accept the kind of hate a Trump presidency could potentially promote. Acting out in violence and spreading that hate can only further divide our country. It will be difficult to do, but in order to move forward, we must swallow our pride and continue to live by "love trumps hate", and not just say it. This can only set us back if we allow it to. So don't be afraid to voice your opinion. Don't be afraid of how many people will agree with you. Putting yourself out there and fighting for your opinion can be scary, but it is a right we have as Americans that we all deserve to exercise.
