Donald Trump is going to be the next President of the United States of America. At first, I was shocked. Then nauseated, then angry, and then plain heartbroken. I didn't (and still don't) understand how this man will soon be in charge of our country. How our country elected someone who spreads such fear and hate, who demeans and degrades women, who is a perpetrator of sexual assault. How we elected this man to run our country after he was caught on tape admitting to sexual assault, while the other man on the tape was suspended and then asked to leave his job as a television host. I'm still heartbroken.
I'm heartbroken for the Muslim women who feel too afraid to wear their hijabs in public.
I'm heartbroken for the little girls who feel as though their new president doesn't care about them.
I'm heartbroken for my students who have parents from other countries and are worried their families will be torn apart by Donald Trump's policies.
I'm heartbroken for the disabled, who are fearful they will soon lose access to the necessary healthcare they need.
I'm heartbroken for my student who walked in on November 9th and told me Donald Trump was going to start a third world war.
I'm heartbroken for the people of color who already have been victims of harassment and abuse from a portion of Trump supporters who have told them to "go back to Africa," have called them the N-word, who have driven around with swastika flags flying from their cars.
I'm heartbroken for my student who was so upset about Donald Trump winning the election that he refused to talk for the entire morning.
I'm heartbroken for all my LGBTQ friends who fear the rights they've fought for for so long will now be taken away.
I'm heartbroken for a friend of a friend who was sexually assaulted and then told, "it's legal now" since Donald Trump won the election.
Many Americans have talked about leaving the country. In fact, Canada's immigration actually crashed following Donald Trump's win. As heartbroken, upset, and angry as I am, I will stay in this country. I will fight for equality, I will defend those who suffer harassment from some of Donald Trump's supporters, and I will love on as many people as I possibly can. I will stand up for women, LGBTQ individuals, people of color, disabled individuals, and anyone else who is fearful or feels marginalized by Donald Trump. If I see inequality or abuse, I will not stand by idly. I will prove that there is still good in this world, that we can build a community of love and respect despite having a president who spreads fear and hate. I will start in the school I work in, reassuring my students that with me, they are safe. That I value them as a person, not based on their sex, color, religious identity, or sexual identity. That they are unique, special, and intelligent. I will teach them to go out and spread love, starting with each other. I will stay in this country and fight for love. After all, love trumps hate.
