Have you ever had a memory that when you play it back it seems so unreal that it's in slow motion? A moment that you know you'll remember for the rest of your life? That's how election night felt for me. I remember the exact moment when Trump took Ohio, the place I have called home for the entirety of my life, and when the tears started to fall. I remember screaming out in pain as if I was being physically injured when he won Florida and my hopes dwindled to almost nothing. I remember my stomach sinking when I had to text my friends and ask them to please stay inside for their own safety and I remember the nausea I felt when for the first time I felt unsafe on my own campus.
Since I've been here at Wooster I've only ever felt completely safe on campus, even with one of the main roads in town running through the center of campus. Now? I'm afraid to walk alone, especially at night. Living in not only a republican county, but a republican town has been scary. Not because republicans in and of themselves are scary but because Donald Trump's victory on Tuesday has emboldened those with hate in their hearts. Since the election there have been increased verbal attacks on students walking down Beall Avenue. Especially those that are African American and/or female. There have been reports of men yelling "Grab em by the pussy" to girls as they walk down the street.
This is why I'm afraid of a Donald Trump presidency. This is why I supported Hillary Clinton. I am not upset because Hillary Clinton lost, I am upset because hate won. I am upset because in the few days since Trump has become the president elect countless hate crimes have been reported across the country. While hate crimes have always existed and always been a problem people are reporting that their attackers have named Trump as the reason behind their attacks. I am upset because for the first time in my life I am afraid to exist. I am afraid to be in a country that does not want me and does not respect me not only as a woman but as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
More than I am afraid for me though I am afraid for those people in the country who have already felt afraid just because of who they are for their entire lives. I am afraid for those who are scared to walk outside, who are afraid to be who they are. I am afraid for the children who will have to grow up seeing all of this hate in their country. I am afraid for my future, and my friends futures and the future of America.
So, what do we do now? We fight. And I'm not saying to fight Donald Trump's presidency because it's unrealistic to expect that outcome to change. We fight hate and bigotry. We fight the racism, the sexism, the xenophobia, the marginalization of groups in any way we can. I know we may not all be in a position to donate or protest but we can fight it on a small basis, every day. We can live it. We can speak up and speak out. Whatever you do now, please do not give up. Please do not feel unwanted, or unseen or unworthy. You are worthy and you are just as important to the world as everyone else in it. Remember that always.
