There is an inherent nobility in the 1st Amendment to the Constitution. I, like many, think it one of the most important foundations of the United States.The right to say what you feel and what you think, the right to express yourself - your true self - as you see fit... There's just something humbling about having that freedom. Our country's history is riddled with inspirational examples of the power of ideological expression. People and events from Martin Luther King Jr. to the signing of the Declaration of Independence have used, to great effect, one of the most powerful facets of the 1st Amendment: the implicit right to protest.
This has been quite the year for free and abundant speech; 2016 feels like the year of the protest. Black Lives Matter, Dakota Access Pipeline, The National Anthem, HB2, and many more issues have drawn out protesters in droves. And that's not even mentioning the countless movements on Facebook and Twitter - now, I would start to list all the hashtags, but I honestly am only interested in one at the moment:
#notmypresident
I've got to admit, of all the protests and hashtags and movements and picketing and boycotts this year... this is the one to give me most pause.
Now, I'm not going to lie - I was not a happy camper on election night. I had spent the last year or so in the "what a joke" bubble that I'm afraid only recently popped on Tuesday for too many Americans. I was getting into arguments with my family and friends, both in real life and online. I was liking and sharing every piece of news that I was sure would convince somebody that Mr. Trump was not to be trusted with the Oval Office, or even seriously considered for it. Unfortunately, it took me too long to start trying to better the quality of the debates I was seeing/participating in. I tried to distance myself from the baiting comments and memes on Facebook and tried to start having fewer, but more meaningful discussions. In the end of all this -
Presidential Nominee Donald J. Trump had not earned my vote. Not by a long shot. Mr. Trump's various stances on issues, both political and social, couldn't fit within what values I hold dear; Presidential Nominee Donald J. Trump had not earned my respect.
But President-Elect Donald J. Trump has my respect.
Not because I've had a change of heart or now condone the things he has said or is accused of doing or has inspired. I respect the President-Elect because that's what he is. I have the utmost respect and adoration for the Constitution and the founders of this country. To me, it would be hypocrisy to respect the parts of the Constitution that served my wishes and then disrespect the parts that don't. That isn't to say that it's hypocritical to be dissatisfied with the results. But that result is that Donald Trump will be the next President of The United States of America.
Many people have taken to the streets to protest this result. To the protesters: I think it's great to see citizens utilizing their rights to protest, I really do. But what I don't think is great is the disrespect for the office of the President. I wholeheartedly encourage protest. I encourage protest so long as it is smart, not just loud. Protesting the fact that he's our next president won't change anything; the American people and the system set forth have both made sure of that. Don't go rage on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram. These things do more harm for your cause than good. Hypocrisy undermines arguments. Anger dispels reason. Assumptions blind trust. The issues facing us in the US are too important to not discuss them intelligently. Don't throw away our potential for peaceful and productive discussion.
Instead? Do research. Find the specifics. Spend the time understanding how the system came out with a result you don't like and figure out why it exists int he first place. Run your arguments by your friends and family. Sharpen your ideas, not your sticks. Discuss and listen and learn with the other side. Email your representatives and ask them why they vote the way they do. Read the news. Read the news that disagrees with your worldview. Make a habit of these things.
And Then Protest.
This is the time for us to move forward together in a different way. It's an exciting time for the United States, and it's our job to do the work to make it not only great, but good. I know a step we can take to ensure it - It's time to stop being the loudest voices in the street, and start being the smartest.
