By now, we're all well aware of the results of this election. Donald Trump is the president-elect of the United States. It is a fact that has been met with contention and disbelief, especially among my own social circles. Although there are cries for change (and a petition going around calling for electors- in states where it is legal or comes with small punitive action- to vote for Hillary Clinton instead), there is little that can be done to change the fact that Trump will be this nation's president for at least four years. Since that Tuesday night, there have been riots across the country protesting the electorate's choice; there was even a protest in my college town of Athens, GA. More than this, however, I have been seeing a great number of people, particularly people of older generations, discredit the rage and support the disenfranchisement of groups affected by Trump's rise to power. There is overwhelming evidence that Trump's rule affirms prejudice and hate, yet there are still people who would devalue the genuine fear the people in this country are feeling right now. I am tired of being told that the feelings of my generation are invalid.
Trump's presidency will have horrible repercussions. It's been made overwhelmingly clear.
Calling climate change a "hoax" fabricated by China was only the beginning of Trump's horrible environmental policy; he plans to back out of the Paris climate agreement (an international treaty aimed at capping carbon dioxide emissions globally and presenting diplomatic solutions to a changing climate), appoint Supreme Court Justices that will restrict the EPA, expand leasing on fossil fuels and cut back on environmental research. These actions will be expedited by a Republican-controlled House of Representatives that have been trying to cut back on environmental policy for years. You can read more about Trump's environmental policy here.
Though Trump himself has a comparatively (to other Republicans) open view towards LGBT issues, his campaign can certainly not be praised for this stance, especially because of his running mate, Mike Pence. Pence ran for congress on a platform that would defund HIV/AIDS programs in order to bolster conversion therapy, an outrageously harmful practice that has provided no justifiable results to support itself (I encourage you to read this reddit thread that details accounts of children actually sent to this sort of "therapy"). Pence fought the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He refused to expand the definition of a hate crime in order to preserve what he calls "religious expression," despite the fact that hate crimes motivated by anti-LGBT sentiment are prolific as hell. This current regime is absolutely no friend to the LGBT community. Read more about Pence's anti-LGBT stances here.
Trump has taken a vehement stance against reproductive rights. His concerted efforts to appoint a conservative, pro-life Supreme Court Justice to fill the space left by Justice Antonin Scalia threaten the well-being of women throughout the country. It is no secret that Trump is launching an attack on Roe v. Wade in order to criminalize abortion. Trump has said that women will "have to go to another state" if the ruling is overturned. Mike Pence, too, has publicly denounced abortion, even in cases of rape. Women whose pregnancies are a threat to their personal well-being are being framed as criminals.
Immigration is another matter for which Trump has spear-headed strident isolationist policy. Trump has declared his intention to cease all illegal immigrant activity, bolster deportation forces around the country and prevent immigrants from getting work. He has also stated that he wishes to abolish birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants born in the US. Many immigrants have lived in this country for 10+ years and have established families within this country. A whopping 14% of our nation's economic output is produced by immigrant labor. Additionally, this xenophobic rhetoric is exacerbating racial tensions and hate crimes. Trump's ascent to power has made more public a deep-rooted racism that has been omnipresent, but, until now, has not been as apparent.
Millennials are frequently called the most "sensitive" generation. We are blamed for the rise of "PC" culture and are told that our demands for respect and equal treatment are unfounded. The voices of this generation cry out for a reason. Since Trump's election, the amount of reported hate crimes has spiked dramatically. These are real accounts of people facing tangible, damaging acts of violence. The United States is experiencing levels of violence that supersede those after the events on 9/11. That is a quantifiable increase in hate, exacerbated by the nomination of President-elect Donald Trump.
There is a lot to be upset about. There comes a time when actions needs to be taken. Hearing that we as a generation need to "calm down" and "show respect" for authority is an act of gaslighting intended to shift blame from the aggressors to the aggrieved. Why must every account of injustice be devalued by those in power? Why is it so difficult to hear the issues that the country is facing and attempt to remedy those issues? The power structures in place in this country exist to service those in power, while those who are marginalized continue to face oppression.
So yes, when you tell me that I should be complacent with how things are and that my life will be fine, I get angry. I am a white man lucky enough to have access to education and networks that will support me. I have privilege. The negative effects of a regime like Trump's will not affect me in the way that they will affect immigrants, women, people of color, the poor, trans folk and so many other marginalized demographics. There are other narratives out there that should be taken in to account and considered when making national legislation. People are hurting. Instead of condemning individuals of a certain generation for being "too sensitive," maybe you should seek to understand how these issues are hurting them and what you can do to help.
