Disclaimer: This was written November 9, 2016 the morning of the results. I tried really hard to come at this objectively. I really wanted to stay as unbiased as I could, but it was much harder than I thought. Looking forward has never been so terrifying to me - as a woman, as an Arab and as a person who is looking at who our next president is and what it means for the country. You can disagree with me, but this is a pretty opinionated piece. Just a heads up.
We didn't think it was possible. Or at least I know I didn't. When someone claims that they're running for President of the United States, we typically assume that it is some sort of corrupt politician and probably not somebody we're going to agree with wholeheartedly, however, I never thought it would be someone who for one has absolutely zero political background and no knowledge on how to even begin to run one of the most powerful countries in the world, and secondly someone who has spewed nothing but bigotry, ignorance, racism and just overall hatred since the beginning of his campaign that would be elected as our President.
Now, Hilary wasn't my first choice by any means. This election has been nothing but being pulled in directions of who people think is the lesser of two evils. That should not be how a Presidential Race should go. We, as American's, should not have to watch in fear as we see two people who aren't favorable by either side climb the ladder to be the next President of our country. That alone just proves how corrupt our government really is. However, right now that is not my biggest concern. My biggest concern is what this means for our country as we look forward.
Donald Trump has brought about the side of America that - at least I thought - was dwindling. His racist, sexist, derogatory remarks leave me feeling uncomfortable, unsafe and worried about what is going to happen. As a woman, what does it mean for my rights over my body. Trump is someone who has told "MSNBC's Chris Matthews that women who have abortions should face some sort of legal punishment" and that he would stop funding Planned Parenthood. Now, many people do not know, but Planned Parenthood does more than abortions. They are a haven for people on low income and college students - really anyone out there - that needs counseling, as a way to get birth control and contraception, it is a place that does so much for the female and male community, but people only ever focus on the abortions. Why does a man get to decide what happens to my body, why is that choice not left up to me - a woman?
There are many things that can happen under Trump as a president. It can go in any direction and this is our reality now. However, there could be a silver lining. Maybe by Trump becoming president, it can show us how much work we need to do as a country and how we need to come together. Maybe, this can finally unite the country and we can figure out what we need to do to move forward. Trump being in presidency is scary, women voting for Trump simply because they didn't want a woman in office is offensive and backwards, the scariest thing about Trump winning the presidency in my opinion, however, is not Trump himself, but rather what this means for his followers.
Everyone knows that Trumps supporters have been vocal as well as physical about their support and will do anything, regardless of its impact on others. Now, I'm not saying all Trump supporters, but we've all see the videos of the different cases where Trump supporters have more than shown their true colors.
So, from this election we need to take two things: This is the time we need to come together and work as a country and we need to take a step back and really look at where we stand as a country as an effort to try and move forward.
Donald Trump, you are our president now. You have been elected by the people and for the people, don't ruin us. That's all I ask.
