I remember talking to my dad about the election over the summer and hoping for a positive outcome. The amount of supporters Trump had were growing in numbers, but I had faith that he wouldn't be my next reality. I had faith that he wouldn't be my country. I feel at the time I was not exactly conscious of what this election would mean until I experienced it.
Everyone was on edge on the day of the presidential election. No matter what side you supported the tension had risen. I remember having a paper due for class the following day and couldn't focus because of how the election was going. At that moment, nothing could take away this feeling of fear or dread. It was around 12 am when I started getting nervous and I realized that this election might actually go the opposite of what I thought. I also realized how backward this country is at that moment. All I could wonder is why when I saw half of the United States red. I couldn't understand how anyone could vote for this man, but people did. I knew at around 1 am that this election was over and that Donald Trump had won, but a part of myself wanted to keep hope. I wanted to see the results for myself, so I stayed up. I talked to my dad in disbelief because this country elected this man, and some of them don't know the consequences.
I went to bed in tears because this country had just proved everything that I wanted to deny: racism still exists, misogyny is still well and alive, and some people in this country don't care.
To anyone that voted for Donald Trump during this election I can't even begin to understand why or how. How could you listen to all the horrible things that man said and look up to him and want him to be your president? How could you want someone who violates women as your president? I honestly could go on about how much this man could effect this country.
People always said that President Obama has racially divided this country over the years , but today I have never seen a more racially divided country than since Trump began running for President. Trump divided this country. The intensity of this election has all started from him. Protests have erupted across the country after he was elected and a petition has been signed. This is not only democrats protesting in the street, but people who are republicans also who don't believe in his cause. I have never seen so much hate after an election. There are so many stories of people getting thrown racial slurs at them in the streets. Lives are being threatened and people feel unsafe. Can people even begin to understand how this feels for someone to tell you to go back to your country? That you don't belong here?
As an African American woman, I am scared because now I know how much of a racial divide in this country. Now I know what some people think of me. It's nerve-wracking to know that you can walk down the school halls and not know what someone is thinking about you. I have so many friends that are scared for their lives. The facebook posts my friends' posts were out of fear and shock. This isn't the land of the free and the home of the brave. Other countries are laughing at us and in shocked, because we elected this man. Time is turning tables and we are going back to a time where racial tensions are at a high.
I have to believe that this fight for freedom isn't over. I have to believe that this election isn't going to change everything. I have a reason on this earth. All I can do is continue to grow and educate myself. We should all do the same. Remember you are not alone and even though you might be in despair there is still love, hope, and peace.
Remember that there can be brighter future.
" Happiness can be found in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light"(J. K Rowling).