You’ve Got The Floor, Now Prove Us Wrong | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

You’ve Got The Floor, Now Prove Us Wrong

An open letter of warning and wisdom to our President-Elect

27
You’ve Got The Floor, Now Prove Us Wrong
Google Images

Today, I woke up in a world in which Donald J. Trump has been elected president of the United States and the first thing I wanted to do is fall right back asleep. The realization seeped in and I felt betrayed, disappointed, and disgusted. Even breathing felt different, not quite natural, like I was more wary of catching the crazy in the air that caused half of the country to vote for you. For living in a nation that celebrates free speech, I’ve never felt more speechless. But I did vote, so I can talk. I voted for hope, not for fear and hate. I voted for respect and poise, not for bigotry, discrimination, and steps in the wrong direction.

It’s easy to conjure up an over-dramatic image of what could happen in these next four years, resembling a gruesome scene from The Purge. But whether or not even half of the things you said during your campaign come true, these visions began as flickers of fear, which grew into the distrust and misjudgement that led people to support you, leading to the outcome of this political race.

If it’s not already painfully clear, I am not a Trump supporter. Many of our nation’s citizens decided that they couldn’t vote for your opponent, Secretary Clinton, simply for the fact that they don’t trust her. And that’s an acceptable opinion to act upon. But I have just as little trust in you, Mr. President-Elect and that’s something you’re going to have to earn. I don’t trust that your hateful, racially targeted words were just talk and that you won’t try your darndest to hurt minorities in ways that are just within the legal parameters of possibility. I don’t trust that the allegations of tax evasion and sexual assault are simply misconstrued representations by the media, and what these crimes would mean about the character of the person representing our country. I don’t trust that you won’t undo everything that our beloved Barack Obama and his team have accomplished, throwing us backward in history to times of judgement and closed-heartedness. I certainly don’t trust your temperament. I don’t trust you as a world leader, a president, or a person, and that’s just the way it is.

What I will offer you is a chance to prove me wrong on all of these accounts and others.

If you can get your act together, grow up, and start acting like a mature adult (if not like a capable and knowledgeable politician), then I am prepared to accept your proposals for the benefit of this country. But if you dare to undo the hard work that Barack Obama has done, the progress he has helped us achieve and fail to see it as such, letting the disrespectful and ungrateful accusations and judgements fly, if you demolish this nation like so many are fearing that you will, your reputation will be irreparably tarnished in my eyes.

If we end up with a president who works for all Americans, then this campaign was won not by you, Mr. Trump, or your resilient opponent Secretary Clinton, but by the American people. We will have succeeded whether the people’s votes led either to victory, because we will have someone in office worth following. Do you think you can live up to that challenge?

Although this is probably one of the most disappointing moments of my life so far, and I woke up in a world in which this has happened, I didn’t wake up starving. I didn’t wake up to see my family ripped away from me or to the sound of gunfire and bombs. And the fact that I woke up at all...I’m still an American, a place where that is taken for granted.

Go ahead Mr. Trump, make America “great” again. Not your definition of the word, but ours. Work for us and not for your own selfish benefit and prove me wrong. You’ve got the floor, now prove US wrong.

“No matter what happens, the sun will rise in the morning, and America will still be the greatest nation on Earth.” -President Barack Obama

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

198293
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19706
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461519
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28668
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments