A few weeks ago, I published an article about fear and I talked about how it's okay to embrace your fears and to openly express your discomfort in fearful moments. This fearful moment is absolutely no exception.
After volunteering at my election precinct for the majority of my day, I went home and attempted to watch the election coverage (the attempt ultimately failed, as I fell asleep when only a few states had turned in all of their data.) I woke up at 4 a.m. the next day due to a noise, and I took that opportunity to check my phone for the election results. I couldn't grapple with the news; I stayed up until 5 a.m. and stared at my ceiling. All I could wonder is "how did we get here?"
There were a lot of reasons why I didn't support Donald Trump's campaign. The main reason, though didn't hit me until Election Day. It wasn't the fact that I don't agree with his proposed policies, or the fact that his looks were easy to point fun at; I didn't support Donald Trump because of his treatment and attitude towards anyone that isn't a straight, Christian, white male.
As someone who fits in under some minority categories, I fear for my future. I fear for my safety, more so than I ever have before. I'm scared of my rights being taken away, and for the treatment I will get from the people I will encounter, not just for the next four years, but for the rest of my life. I'm aware that any legislation that Trump wants to pass would have to go through Congress, but fear, hate and skepticism don't need congressional approval.
Less than a week after he became president-elect, a kid at my school has received death threats because of the color of his skin. I've heard people shout "ALL HAIL TRUMP" down the hallways. I've seen tweets from Muslim people who are having to hide their religion, and stories of Latino children being tormented by their classmates. And, again, Trump isn't even president yet.
I know that hatred and discrimination towards minority communities has been consistent throughout American history, but in no way should it be worse to live in 2016 that it was to live during the 1950's. We shouldn't be moving backwards when it comes to the way we treat people that are in the minority. Clearly, Trump isn't the only person in this nation who is hateful, but, as president, being hateful towards minorities of all kinds will be normalized.
I spent all of Wednesday not even attempting to fake my enthusiasm. I trembled and had an eye twitch all day and I couldn't focus on any of my school work. I was scared of being called a racial slur or being targeted in any way.
If you think that my emotions are over-exaggerated and irrational, than you've completely missed the point. With Trump as President, the fears that would once be irrational for this day in age are now completely reasonable. Nothing is out of the question. Trump did manage to become president, after all.
To all of my fellow minorities, whether you're LGBTQ+, a person of color, a woman, a Muslim, or anything in between: I love you, and we will make it through this troubling time together. We can predict what will happen, but we won't know for sure until the time comes. Unfortunately, waiting is the worst part.
