November 8th, 2016, the day Donald Trump became President of the United States. A variety of reactions swept the nation; some more appropriate than others. Many people are still in disbelief at how a reality TV star with no former political experience now holds the highest office in the land, but there are many clear reasons as to why this even occurred. The main reason being the unnoticeable limit placed on free speech.
Now more than ever, Republicans have had to fight to be heard and taken seriously; especially young Republicans on a college campus. It's not uncommon to be called a bigot, racist, sexist, and many other harsh terms on a daily basis from people who have a different mindset. Many conservatives have been silenced, and therefore internalize their beliefs, or only share them with others who agree with them. That is how we came to have Donald Trump as our president.
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When you are shamed for your beliefs, you stay quiet. The only sanctuary is the polling booth, alone and away from the scrutiny of others. It's a sad testament, but one that is very true for our times. People are taught to dislike conservative ideals, and that those who hold those beliefs are uneducated, too traditional, greedy, and hateful. That could not be more false. It is hateful to dismiss someone because of the political views they hold rather than holding a conversation with them in order to learn more. "But I don't want to learn more. I already know what they're going to say and I don't like it." Welcome to the millennial generation.
Millennials are overwhelmingly liberal. It's hard not to be with so many colleges pushing a liberal agenda on their students. If nothing else is taught to you, then that's all you know, and all that you believe is right. It is seen as a threat when someone with a drastically different viewpoint engages in conversation with you, but that is how we learn and grow, and become better citizens. Instead, diverse conversations are limited, and people are told that they are victims that must find a way to protect themselves and block out all ideologies that are different from theirs. We live in a bubble, a safe space, something that is not real and severely damaging to our culture.
Instead of talking about our differences, we are taught then when we don't get our way, it's okay to skip class and order pizza instead, harass and assault people who voted for the other candidate, and even take to the streets and protest violently the inauguration of our new president. For the record, this is not okay. I will say it again. This is not okay. It's shameful, disgraceful, embarrassing, and a huge set back for this generation and our country. When things don't go our way, life goes on, and makes a mockery of us when we throw a temper tantrum. It says, "I'm unable to control my emotions in a healthy and productive way, so I just gave up." Is that the reputation that we want for years to come?
Elections occur every four years. Every four years, there is the power of the people to elect the president that they want. This time, Republicans in the silent majority had their voices heard. Not satisfied with the result? Continue to vote or start voting, but please stop acting in such a juvenile manner; especially when you expected the opposing side to handle their loss with grace. Donald Trump is our new president, and we owe it to him, to ourselves, and to democracy to treat him with respect in order to make his term a successful one.
There is a learning experience with every situation, and the takeaway from this election is that we need to start talking to each other. That we need to stop bashing people who have different viewpoints than us, and be more open to hearing what they have to say. If anything, if you disagree, you have further solidified your opinion. We live in America, a country that prides itself for the freedom of speech for all citizens. It is sad to see that we have come to the place where only some people feel as though their opinions matter; so much so, that the only way the other side feels it has the right to their beliefs is through a cutthroat election.
Donald Trump is our president, and whether you voted for him or not, we all need to accept it. Protesting and acting in a childish manner will not make these four years go by any faster. People need to learn how to accept defeat without personally being defeated, and not act as though the world should stop and cater to their feelings of entitlement. By living in America, we haven't lost a single thing. Everyday, we wake up in the greatest country in the world. With knowing that, we have already won.
"Some people's idea of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage." -Winston Churchill
