When everyone woke up on the eventful Wednesday morning, only nine words bombarded the television screen: "Trump Elected as 45th President of the United States."
Some people across our nation erupted into cheers. Some people across our nation quaked with anger. But most of all, some people across the nation, like myself, remained frozen in place, consumed by the all-familiar feeling of fear. Our stomachs churned. Our heads pounded. Our eyes watered. Most importantly, our hearts sank.
It is simply human nature to fear what is new. Having been under a democratic administration for approximately eight years, a sudden shift to a new political party may appear as a school. Like any other candidate, we all should give Trump a chance, for his actual term doesn't begin until January 2017.
However, his reputation leading up to this year's elections have left another image on many Americans' minds. Though he may not truly feel this way, Trump's actions and comments create a rather negative impression on the minorities, immigrants, women, and other ostracized groups in our society. The United States of America was founded on the principles of equality for all of its people. Trump's victory, rather than moving America one step forward, moves us all one step backward.
As a result of this shocking step, many minorities are struggling to pick up the pieces of little hope they had in the future of America. It shows that someone, whose comments echo racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, misogyny, and so many other evils in this world, can rightfully be elected as an American president. Despite many people's claims of having voted for him based on the current state of American under a Democrat's administration, this truly and honestly frightens me.
This is why whenever I look back on the election results, I will throw my head down in shame. This is why whenever I look back on the election results, I will shed a couple tears. This is why whenever I look back on the election results, I will wonder what America truly stands for.
Of course, many of you may feel that a Trump victory secures the future of the free world, but for minorities like myself, it thrusts us into a world of uncertainty. It leaves us on the edge of a cliff which has no visible end.