*Excerpt credited to Hasan Minhaj on The Daily Show
Sophie Huang ’17
While this election has left many Americans relieved and excited, it has left millions of others in fear for their lives, their homes, their identities, and their dignity.
I do not believe that all of Trump’s supporters are fervently racist. At the same time, I do not think it can be denied that all of Trump’s supporters condone, or are at the very least indifferent to, his racism, sexism, homophobia, and bigotry.
I understand that Trump’s voters are angry. They are sick of the status quo and wish to see change in the media, the government, and their economic situations.
For other Americans, however, Donald Trump represents hatred, intolerance, and oppression. For them, this election was not about differing political ideologies but about choosing the candidate who would protect their basic rights. Not the one who has targeted, harassed, or demonized them, but the one who would give them the respect they deserve as Americans and as human beings.
If you disagree with me, I challenge you to express that conviction to the families who live in fear of being torn apart or deported. Tell it to my best friend who texted me the day after the election: “I don’t want to go to conversion therapy.” Say it to the millions of immigrants, non-Christians, handicapped, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who now live knowing that their own president-elect considers their existence to be worth less than what they deserve, and that half of the nation accepts that sentiment.
We do not need to tolerate the hateful dialogue that Trump has spewed. We do not need to respect those opinions that do not respect our identities. We do need to acknowledge, however, that these beliefs exist and do our best to keep fighting for what is right.
This election is a wake-up call. It has shown us how widely disparate Americans’ views are. We’ve become a divided country of either right or wrong; good or evil; Democrat or Republican. With this election especially, the difference between the two factions is that one now lives in fear that its government will not protect it, while this has never been at stake for the other.
We have lost sight of the goal: to live our best lives. To let everyone be able to live their best lives. This is a right for everyone, not a privilege for those deemed worthy by others. Regardless of any party identification, it should apply to all. We are all Americans, and we are all human beings. This goes beyond any border.
Moving on from this election, it is my hope that Americans can be more understanding of each other. That Democrats and Republicans can engage in discourse without jumping to conclusions or exchanging angry accusations. This country cannot make progress if we do not have shared ideas of what progress means. It is my hope that we can have more compassion for everyone. All Americans, all human beings.
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