I try not to use this column as a space for personal reflection. Every two weeks, I am given a platform to bring to light important social issues, and I do my best to base these pieces in fact, evidence and careful research.
Today feels different. Today feels deeply personal and deeply urgent. The most experienced person ever to seek the office of President of the United States was just defeated by her least-qualified adversary.
My obvious political qualms with president-elect Donald Trump are numerous. I fear for our diplomatic relationships, for our welfare state, for the Supreme Court, for my black, brown and LGBTQ+ friends who will inevitably be further marginalized by coming legislation. In every corner of both foreign and domestic policy, there is now a potential for extreme regression and polarization. Strides made over the past eight years, like the Affordable Care Act, marriage equality and cleaner energy, are at serious risk. Any hope for progressive action on criminal justice reform, universal healthcare and public education stands little chance in the next four years. And yet, perhaps more viscerally frightening than any political consequence of this election is the hateful rhetoric that Americans just redeemed.
A man who called Mexican-Americans “rapists” and “criminals” will now represent Mexican-Americans. A man who cruelly mocked a disabled journalist will now represent disabled Americans. A man who implemented racist housing policies against Black Americans will now represent the same Black Americans. A man who bragged about long-term federal tax evasion will now represent all American taxpayers. A man who threatened to ban all Muslims will now represent their freedom of religion. A man who bragged about grabbing women “by the p***y” was just elected to represent every American woman and every American feminist.
The deep-rooted disgust that so many of us felt in hearing these hateful words is all the worse after Tuesday’s results. On Tuesday, this hate was vindicated, even embraced, by a massive population of American voters.
If anything, Donald Trump’s election revealed the rampant and unpredictable anger of the vast majority of white Americans. In a country that is rapidly diversifying in terms of race, sexuality and religion, the United States reverted to emotional nationalism over an acceptance of the future. Fearful of a perceived loss in power and of the demographic change ahead, white America voted on pure anger and fear over rationality. Donald Trump, for all of his incompetence, tapped into the pervasive paranoia and uncertainty in this nation, earning 58 percent of the white vote. He roused an electorate willing to act on impulse, willing to throw civility out the window for the simple fear of an inevitable cultural shift.
But make no mistake: the shift is coming. The census predicts that by about mid-century, the white population in the United States will dip under 50 percent. Millennials will age, pushing for increased equality and progress (54 percent of them voted for Clinton). Diversity in this country is not something to fear nor shun; rather, it is our greatest strength and most valuable asset.
If you voted for Trump for the sake of “financial conservatism,” keep in mind the rhetoric that you have abetted. If you voted for Trump silently, too ashamed to tell your friends, then you were fully aware of the meaning of your vote. History will remember this election. It will remember the excuses, the denial, the reactionary nature of this time. There is a sobering self-awareness in the lengths being traveled in order to preserve Republican power, especially across the South. The conscious suppression of black voting, of youth voting, of women voting, represents the conscious defense of institutional racism, rape culture and division.
Now more than ever, we must work together to make sure that the political consequences of this election are not irreversible, to fight for a government that represents all people and all interests. Justice, pragmatism and simple empathy demand our best efforts—to fight for truth in our journalism and political systems and equality under the law and an optimistic global mindset.
Today is personal. Today I feel deeply as a woman, as a Jew, as a survivor of sexual assault and as an ally. As someone who fought long and hard to prevent this outcome, and who witnessed the incredible work of so many others committed to the same cause, today was eerie. Students walked campus in silence, their eyes puffy from crying. But tomorrow, our eyes will be bright and hopeful, looking toward the future.
Leah Abrams is a Trinity freshman. Her column, “cut the bull,” runs on alternate Fridays.
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Leah Abrams is a Trinity senior and the Editor of the editorial section. Her column, "cut the bull," runs on alternate Fridays.