I was never scared of Donald Trump. I’m still not. His existence never interrupted my day. I could truly care less about that man as I’m sure many can say without hesitation. Growing up, the only thing I knew Donald Trump for was his highly publicized bankruptcy. I knew that and the fact that he showed up on WWE for an episode or two. So I repeat….that man was totally irrelevant to my life. Now I remember during the primaries when it was brought to my attention that the same man had a shot at running the country. I thought it was hilarious. A true royal fudge on behalf of the Republican Party because I imagined that they too knew this man was a joke. Surely, they’d seen that WWE episode and experienced the same blank space between the ears when attempting to answer for the man’s political career. I trusted the Republicans to handle it. Honestly. Truly. I did.
So, as I’m sure you all were, to see Donald Trump go from potential candidate of the Republican Party to Hillary’s main opponent to now someone’s President of the United States…I was shocked. Shook. A man who ran his entire campaign primarily on absurd comments had managed to fly the W over America.
“What a nasty woman.”
“I’d grab her by the p*ssy.”
“Mexicans are racists and thugs.”
“Stop and frisk should be brought back.”
That guy who said those kinds of things won. So as an African American young woman, news like this felt like fear, defeat even. I will say the most disturbing part of all of this though would be the dismissal of these very legitimate feelings by those around me. “Get over it.” “Stop whining about something you can’t change.” “This is the will of God.” I’m sure you all have heard some too. To all those that choose to respond in this fashion instead of just choosing silence or giving me and others the freedom to cope/grieve without restriction…you’re hiding your humanity. Dare I say it….you might just be showing your privilege.
Here’s the truth…
We, the people of the minority populated States of America, NEVER cared about Trump. I told y’all earlier I could care less for him. Truly. Trump is just a man. He is just a face. All those that oppose him totally get that. Here’s what you guys, my die hard Trump supporters, seem to not get though. It is what Trump chose to stand for that gave birth to these fears, anger, frustration, and despair. When Trump won….when that face won…everything he represented won too. The phrases coated in overt and latent racism, misogyny, bigotry, hatred, and many other negative feelings towards minorities, women, and etc is what showed itself to be acceptable to half of America. That’s what a lot of you guys so conveniently and impressively seem to overlook. Trump never scared us! What he chose to represent did.
The victory that looks like the cars around me boldly emblazoned with “All Lives Matter”, confederate flags, and rifles won. The victory that looks like people writing “f*ck you n*gger” on the car of a black man with a signature saying this was done in Trump’s honor won. The victory that looks like Muslim women getting their hijabs pulled off won. The victory that’s reignited the racial tension wars that not even Donald Trump can continue to endorse. The victory that is inspiring the KKK to create a parade in celebration is the same victory that gave four men white men reason to assault a black woman alone at a gas station. That same victory gave someone the okay to egg an Asian woman walking home one day. That is the victory we didn’t want to face. Truth be told, any of us could easily give Trump these hands so that’s clearly not the issue here. Bigger and more important issues are what we see at work and that’s the unnerving part.
And to hear people say things like “well there’s hate on both sides” and “it’s not that serious” just highlights the fact that for YOU these election results are just that, election results. And that’s totally fine, BUT to presumably extend that kind of carefree thinking to all people groups is just flat out foolish and ignorant. Now if you’re one of those that want to go the route of saying that Trump wasn’t /isn’t a racist, misogynist bigot (because I’m a bare bones kind of girl), I would hope your basic humanity would feel bothered in some way at the comments that half of America found excusable and eligible to run the country. And if you can AT LEAST admit that, then maybe…just maybe a piece of your humanity is still intact.
Finally if we’re on a roll in proving that some of my Trump supporters aren’t total cold hearted robots then understand…some humans are at a higher risk for their safety over these election results. Some humans are increasingly being ostracized over these election results. Those of us with vaginas might be a lot more fearful at having a man and his potentially like-minded guys running the country that are ok with grabbing us by our genitalia. Those that are sexual assault victims might feel uneasy that the same man who can elect a Supreme Court judge is the same man up against a rape allegation in December. So understand…..there are some humans that will be affected more greatly than you over these election results. That’s the basis of what you NEED to know and truly understand, and if you can get that I would hope you see that you have an opportunity to change that narrative. Instead of bashing those around you, consider, ask, and investigate why they’re fearful. Extend kindness. I promise that kindness has a way of coming back to pay you in the best way. And lastly, if none of my words sat with you then just know you’re in my prayers right along with the rest of the robots that make up a good portion of America.
Much Love Dreamer