In light of recent events, and particularly due to the protests taking place tonight and tomorrow in Madison, I thought I would write my opinion regarding the latest issues.
Firstly, I want to be clear on my position. I understand that not everyone who voted for Donald Trump did so because they agree with his racist, misogynist, bigoted comments. I understand that many of them voted because they fear for the economy, and because they are exercising the power they have to choose a representative. However, while I am able to acknowledge this, I cannot say that I agree with or support that decision.
Voting is a way of validating your existence as a citizen. When you granted Trump your vote, you decided that while asserting your existence was important, it didn't matter to you if you invalidated mine, along with that of 50 million immigrants, and countless students, workers, and expats who are here legally, and rightfully. You decided that our lives were somehow less important than yours.
Now, let me tell you something else. The problem is not that Trump won. Trump is an entertainer, a businessman, a character, and a public figure. His relative success in business stems from telling people what they want to hear. He told you, Trump supporter, that your racist, sexist, narcissistic ideas were valid, correct, and encouraged. He told you what you wanted to hear in order to gain your vote. Trump is a demagogue, and borrowing from the words of H.L. Mencken, "the demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue, to men he knows to be idiots". The problem is not Trump. The problem is that you believed him. The problem is that, regardless of why you chose to do so, you granted him your vote. You granted him your confidence, and you put the continuity of your nation as a land of freedom in his hands. The problem is not Trump. The problem is you.
Two days ago, you put the stability of your country in the hands of a man with no government experience. You put the lives of fifty million people at risk, because they were born somewhere else. You threatened my rightful, legal ability to study in the U.S. because I was raised with values different from yours. Heck, I was raised with values. Two days ago, you decided that because our skin tones are two shades darker than yours, we are worthless. That because I am a woman, I can be manipulated, violated and discarded. That because I am Mexican, I am a criminal.
Today, when I see my friend crying because she fears for her parents who were born abroad, when I call my mother and she is worried, when I am uncertain of my future in this country and of the stability of my College education, I do not forgive you. When my classmates feel left out of the community because they wear the hijab, and when I see people protesting, and in fear, I do not forgive you. I do not understand you, I do not support you, and I do not respect you. Because regardless of why you voted for Trump, your vote expressed your support for blatantly discriminating Muslims, for acting against the LGBTQ community, and for violently targeting minorities. If there comes a day when Palestine is wiped off the map, I hope you voter, hold yourself accountable, because that is exactly what your vote endorsed.
To all those of you who are saying things along the lines of "regardless of the outcome of this election, let's all stand united and not allow love to die, and hate to divide us...", understand that you are speaking from a privileged standpoint. Know that you are lucky to not have your family in danger, to not have to worry where and how you are going to live, to not worry about your livelihood being threatened by people who took the elections as a joke. Know that whatever is next depends on how you choose to act towards the millions of people who had to stand idly watching you decide our future. Know, and understand the power that you hold today, and use it to really, actually, stop hate from further dividing your country.
