The results of this year’s election has left some people in disbelief. Many people who voted for Donald Trump want Hillary Clinton supporters to “get over it” and believe that we’re just “crybabies” for our frustration and protest of the results.
While my initial disappointment with this election has subsided, my response remains: Trump is NOT My President.
I’m fully aware that he is the President-elect and will be inaugurated on January 20th. Trump’s win on election night felt like a cloud over our country’s promise and potential. It wasn’t because my team didn’t get the win. It wasn’t simply about a Democrat losing to a Republican.
Although Hillary Clinton, like most politicians running for elected office, was seen as a “flawed” candidate, she represented an intelligent and highly qualified woman who was able to hold her own against the boys for decades. She was the usual politician and was one of the most qualified individuals to ever run for president. Her likeability and trustworthiness may have been questioned; however, she seemed ready for the 24 hour job and could prove it.
To me, Clinton did represent a woman breaking that political and social “glass ceiling” NOW not later and she also ran her campaign trying to unite the country. The diversity that I saw in her supporters and the “Stronger Together” motto resonated with me. Yes, there were questions about her past decisions and scandals; I still thought she handled herself well despite that and had the capability and depth of knowledge to evolve while leading this country. Also, the critiques of Clinton seemed like typical political mudslinging with an undertone of sexism. I could see it in the constant coverage of email scandal, the blame for whatever Bill Clinton did or didn’t do decades ago, and the suspicion of her health and truthfulness. I was unfazed and willing to vote for her in the primary and in the general election because I could see her as a decent president and maybe she might have surpassed that expectation.
I could not see Donald Trump, who was an immensely flawed candidate, in the same light. Trump ran his campaign disrespecting a good majority of the electorate and showcased nothing but crass and lack of knowledge on the political, social, economic, and international issues at hand.
Mr. Trump didn’t sound like a leader for my country. It shocked me that the country would see the opposite especially after all he said about women, immigrants, people of color, and people of the Muslim faith. People supported him knowing that the KKK and other white supremacist groups (“alt-right” as they prefer to be called) were supporting his candidacy. Trump also ridiculed Sen. John McCain’s service in the military and reporter Serge Kovaleski’s disability. He even attacked Gold Star parents Khizr and Ghazala Khan over their commentary at the DNC; their son Capt. Humayun Khan was killed while defending our country.
Trump’s antics during his campaign and even since the “Birther Movement” that questioned President Obama’s citizenship was enough for me. I was done with Trump way before the ‘grab them by the p***y’ scandal. I could not see someone who has admitted to not paying his taxes during two live Presidential debates, has refused to release his tax returns, and has had a laundry list of scandals especially with the business brand that he’s so famous for as the savior for every demographic in this country just because he boastfully said so. As a middle class black woman and millennial from an immigrant family, I could not give him my vote because of this and so much more. I knew that the choice was clear as it as always been in recent American politics: Democratic or Republican. Clinton or Trump. And I could never sit out any election.
Even though, Clinton decisively won the popular vote, Trump won the electoral votes needed to “Make America Great Again” (still not sure which decade he’s referring to). The ballots from this election divided the electorate even more. Looking at the “qualifications” and political views of the people Trump is selecting to his cabinet, his ideas about new appointees to the Supreme Court, and his rants on Twitter and all over the media, I’m confused how this is supposed to work out.
President-elect Trump’s words during the campaign have also given rise to many discriminatory acts around the country even with school children (such a fine role model to the youth of our country). Mr. Trump looking into a camera during an interview and telling his supporters who are doing these acts to “Stop It” isn’t a problem solver. New York taxpayers having to pay for Trump and his family’s protection while some citizens are questioning their own physical, financial, educational, health care, and equal rights security under his administration isn’t smoothing anything over either.
Maybe four years of President Trump will awaken this country. As a nation, we did not take the direction of our country, the progress still to be made, and the importance of having a steady hand at the wheel into full account. And if you’re proud that Trump is your leader or feel unaffected…that’s your right. The rest of us will follow the “great example” of those who opposed President Obama during his entire presidency.
If standing up for equality makes us “unpatriotic” Americans, so be it.
Writer and blogger. Perspectiv.words Founder, Chief Editor, and Contributor. I write to speak out and uplift. I also share my views on current events, culture, history, or any topic that moves my fingers to a pen or to type.
