18 years. 18 damn years of my life I wasted being excited to vote just to be torn between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Donald Trump, on one hand, is racist, homophobic, xenophobic, and sexist, but on the other hand, Hillary Clinton was a crook, a liar, and corrupt (and yes, I'm still salty about her winning over Bernie Sanders). I never thought I would have to choose between the lesser of two evils.
It's Election Day, everyone is carpooling to the polls, buses are running fare-free, and people are still having debates over which candidate to vote for. This was the first presidential election that about 90% of people on campus were able to vote in, so it was a big deal. I think it's actually the only time I've seen bus seats full as well as sidewalks. We all did our civil duty and filled in the bubble of who our future president should be.
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The night was filled with loud televisions, food, Starbucks (a Venti and then a Trenta), friends, and apprehensiveness. We watched as Hillary and Donald's numbers were neck and neck all night. I think I can speak for everyone in that room when I say, anxiety was among us. Honestly, I was scared. I was scared for the outcome of this election for both ways. I was scared for my minority friends, as well as myself. This election wasn't just about who was going to be America's leader, but it was about the well-being of Americans.
Everything about the next morning was bleak. The skies were dark, the campus was silent, and no one wanted to mention the "E word". Thankfully, Radford was a blue city, but it was still hard knowing we weren't a blue nation. I talked about the election results with friends. We had about an hour long discussion about the outcome. They kept repeating "I am scared" over and over again. It seems like this election was just a loss for all of us. It seems as if America had taken one step forward only to take 100 steps back. It's legitimately terrifying.
While writing this article, I have noticed that I keep losing what I want to say. Honestly, I truly don't know what to say about this entire event. I'm speechless mostly. I am also angry. I am angry that my friends are feared for their lives, as well as their families' lives. I am angry that a nation who is supposed to be known as one of the "Best countries in the world" has elected someone who is racist, bigoted, and misogynistic. I am angry that people are in tears over a newly elected president. I am angry because instead of using my time to be excited that I voted, I am just mad and scared.
I am worried for my nation, my future kids, my family, and my friends. I am worried that this will drive us apart as a nation when we should be coming together and uniting as one. As a result of this election, I won't stand by and watch one hundred years of progress be taken away in one moment. I will not let my brothers and sisters be knocked down for their rights. I have lost my damn mind within the last 72 hours that Donald Trump has been known as the President-Elect.
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