This week has been an insane blur for myself, and many others across the United States.
For the second time in my life, a presidential candidate that won the popular vote, did not win the necessary electorates in order to win the presidency. Although the electoral college has not met yet, there has been a gigantic reaction from all ends of the political spectrum. There are people marching in solidarity against who may be our president if the electoral college doesn't change some things around; there are people who have already taken it upon themselves to make minorities live in fear–from spreading racial slurs to threatening to kill people based on their race and/or religion; and there are people on social media who are telling everyone to just calm down.
For those of you who fall into the last category, here are some things that you should do:
1. Check your privilege
Every single person that I have seen criticize demonstrators, people speaking to their fears around a Trump presidency, and those standing in solidarity has been a white, straight, cis-gendered christian–or in other words–not at all in danger if Trump really does become president.
This does not mean "all white people are bad" or that people didn't work hard to get where they are in life, which many people seem to think when the word "privilege" comes up. Saying that someone has privilege is not meant to shame them, but rather to highlight that they may not fully understand the struggles that others experience on a day to day basis.
For example, I am privileged because I am white, cis-gendered, have access to higher education, and have a family that has the means to help support me and does. I can recognize these things and see how they have given me an advantage over some others who weren't born into my circumstances. Yet, as a female, a survivor of sexual assault, and a member of the LGBT community, Trump becoming president will likely affect me negatively.
(Here's how: female, survivor, LGBT)
2. Think about your friends, family, loved ones, etc.
This past week, I visited several of my friends at school, and every single one of them belongs to AT LEAST one minority group that has been targeted by Trump and his followers. To me, that is much more terrifying than belonging to targeted groups myself. Since election day there have been numerous reports of hate crimes and other atrocities, even higher than the increase following the 9/11 attacks.
If you aren't affected by a Trump presidency, there are people that you care about who might be. Think about them, their safety, and the preservation of their rights.
3. Listen
Telling people to stop complaining or stop talking about an issue is one of the most invalidating things that you can do. At the very least, allow people to speak to their fears and concerns, even if you happen to believe that they are unwarranted. Listening to people lets them know that you truly care about them, what they are experiencing, and what they are feeling. Everyone should be given the space to express what they are feeling, especially at such an emotionally turbulent time.
After following these steps, if you still feel the same way, you can always unfollow or unfriend us.
If complaints and stating fears really continue to bother you, you don't have to continue to subject yourself to it, but you should not try to silence us. You are allowed to think whatever you do about those of us who are openly voicing our concerns, but we still have (and should have) the right to speak out and stand together in solidarity. Even if you try to silence us, we will still be here. We may be terrified of what is yet to come, but we are strong, we will fight for what we believe in, and we shall overcome.
