The recent election results were all but expected, and with those results came a storm of anger, insults, distress, joy, and excitement. One look at social media will show how divided people are on the topic. From the #NotMyPresident tweets to people blocking each other because of who they voted for, it's clear that the results of this election were all but unifying.
Do I find all this anger, outrage, name-calling, and fear absurd and sad? Yes.
Am I worried by the violent division our nation seems to be facing? Yes.
Am I surprised by any of it? Sadly, no.
Like many others, I am worried. I'm worried about how this whole mess plays out. I'm worried about what Trump will do with our great nation. I'm worried about how divided we are. But I'm also hopeful.
In the last few weeks, Trump seems to have put a fresh foot forward. After watching his victory speech, Hillary's concession speech, President Obama's short speech, and the results of Trump's visit to the White House and talk with the President, I am hopeful for what is to come. Trump seems willing to work with people and take their advice.
To echo a common theme of many of the recent speeches, we need to unite behind our new President, for better or for worse, and give him our support. Only when we are united can we stand strong and show the world what we are capable of.
3 comments:
You seem to be speaking from a place of privilege and ignoring the incredible hatred that Trump and Pence used to gain votes. A huge percentage of the US population are in fear of their very lives because of the hatred spread by these men. In recent weeks, there has been an explosion of anti-immigrant, anti-black, homophobic, and anti-Semitic hate because of Trump's election. It's okay to hope, but from your place as a white male, please don't ignore the struggles of the poor, those with disabilities, women, people of color, immigrants, Muslims, Latinx people, Jewish people, and LGBTQ people, many of whom will have to struggle to live under Trump, "for better or for worse" as you put it.
I am not trying to lessen the struggles that many thousands of people are truly facing after the results of this election. I respect them, even though I will never be able to fully understand their plight. But I am disgusted with the hatred coming from both sides.
I try not to be political, and when I am, I try to remain as neutral as possible. But I believe we won't be able to help anyone or solve any issues until we drop the labels, stop the name calling, and stand together as human beings. Instead of treating upset college students (many of whom come from the same privilege) like kindergartners, having cry-ins and therapy sessions, we need to have open, honest discussions. I am hopeful that we can overcome the hate the seems to dominate our nation right now, for the good of everyone.
Thank you for your comment, as it is a good reminder to think about other people and what they face.
Different people process events in different ways - some will become activists and vocalize; others will need time to cry things out. I can't imagine what problems you have with people healthily processing what has come as a terrible shock to a lot of people. In politics, labels can be helpful and important: "alt-right" sounds less threatening than "neo-Nazi" but they share the same ideology.
Post a Comment