In the wake of Donald Trump's election win, the nation has seemingly exploded. Riots are breaking out, people are fearful (rightfully so) and incidents of hate are being recorded across the country. Across the nation, people were mourning. People were celebrating. In some areas, like Vermont, the skies were ironically gray. But as many of us watched from the home-front, there were many who were in other countries, unable to be around their families — including Champlain College student, Anthony Rivers.
Rivers watched, from Australia, as the election results drew many different emotions from many different people — a lot of which was hateful. Many people on the Champlain College campus were outraged, terrified, stunned. I was, admittedly, one of those people. And while many are still mourning, still trying to figure out what the hell happened and how our country got to this point, Rivers is refusing to hate.
"As a dual citizen, I always felt pretty disconnected from the States. I didn't grow up here, so it was always like, whatever, I'd always correct people when they assumed I was American," said Rivers. "When he became president, I couldn't bring myself to disassociate anymore. It felt kind of like abandoning my friends and family who needed people to be there during this tough time. I felt like it was more important to put encouragement out and try to shift the momentum."
He filmed two empowering videos, illustrating his feelings and thoughts on Trump's win, that have touched the minds of many on the Champlain campus. And I think it's time they touched people across the nation.
The first one focuses on his initial reactions and his views of where we should go from here.
"In the back of my head I knew it would get some love because of where I go to school, but that wasn't my primary reason obviously. And then my girlfriend and I actually had a conversation about how the video was a bit short-sighted," said Rivers. And so, following the response his video received, he released a follow-up.
"I realized how the message I was putting out was unattainable to the people who would be the most negatively affected by a Trump presidency, which lead me to reevaluate what I was saying," said Rivers.
The two together are some of the most powerful and empowering messages I've seen since this election came to an end. It's been over a week now, and news site after news site publishes incidents of hate: swastikas painted on signs, men pulling off hijabs. People are being told (by average citizens) that it's time for them to leave. The nation is spiraling into a terrifying cycle.
But all of this frustration and fear can be used as fuel for a revolution, to fight against all of Trump's (and his supporters') hateful comments and to fight against the hate brewing across the country. Now is the time to exercise our right to free speech, to protest, to vote.
Now is the time to let our voices be heard.
