- As a woman, I am afraid.
- As a person of colour, I am afraid.
- As an undocumented alien, I am afraid.
- As a member of the LGBTQ community, I am afraid.
This election legitimately made me worry these last few weeks. It started becoming more and more real with each passing day that Trump had an actual chance of winning, and to the shock and dismay of many, he did on November 8, 2016.
That night I was concerned with my own safety as well as the safety of all the other people discriminated against by Donald Trump and his supporters either because of the colour of their skin, their sexuality, or their religion. On election night, a woman tweeted out, "My mom literally just texted me "don't wear the Hijab please" and she's the most religious person in our family...."
But hers wasn't the only heartbreaking response. It hasn't even been a week since the results of this election were announced and all over the country there have been hate crimes (or should I say "Trump Pride" crimes against minorities. Hispanics told that if they don't like the results to just go back to their home countries, or that, better yet, Trump would take them out soon enough. Even Middle Schoolers joining in by chanting "Build A Wall," repeatedly to their classmates. African-Americans being harassed and called the "N" word repeatedly. Nazi-themed graffiti displayed.
At this point all we can do is make one another feel safe. The bright side of this election is that it made me realise that Christian Brothers University is a school who truly values each individual student regardless of their physical appearance or their background. In the words of Brother Ryan "CBU is a place everyone is welcome at, a place where you as students are welcome and valued, where peace prevails, and where love exists."
10 comments:
Aylin, I thought your blog was very well said. I think this election serves as an example that we have to take everyone seriously. In the beginning, no one thought that some of the candidates were serious options. However, because people believed that, voting negligence was rampant this year. All we can do now is pray and hope the horrendous things about the president elect's plan won't happen and that he can in fact help our economy like he says.
I can relate to your blog because not only am I black, but I am also a woman. I can understand why you would be worried about your safety because the odds are against us. We're considered the minority in a country that we've made much contribution to building. I've also expressed how I am worried about our country because there has been much chaos within the first week of him winning the election. All we can do is be hopeful that something changes.
I can also relate to your post, because I am scared about what will happen next. Like the day after the election my mother told that I would probably have to not enroll next semester so we could see what could happen next to us. I was so sad that day because that would mean I would lose everything that I was working for but I will still continue school it will take a lot of work as always. I am scared of what is going to happen but I know for sure that I will fight to continue my education and to be here in America.
Aylin, I absolutely and 100% agree with this post. It makes me so sad and also so scared to where this country is going. It makes me even more afraid that we could lose some amazing people in this world because Trump is racist, xenophobe. However, I feel as if people could have made this a closer race or even a different outcome if the people who didn't vote ACTUALLY voted.
Hey Renee,
I am sorry you feel that way! I know you are not alone. I also know a lot of people believe Trump is racist. Can you point to me something he has said that is racist? I find it interesting how the vast majority of Americans and media did not view him as racist till he decided to run for president. And also you might find this interesting..Trump is the first republican nominee to hold up the LGBTQ at a rally (he also said he is fine with gay marriage, unlike Obama when he ran at one point, surprisingly), and he also hired the first female presidential campaign manger to successfully win a presidential election.
And I agree that there are some Trump supporters who are bigots, racist, sexist, and so on. But that is NOT the majority.
It isn't all doom and gloom! I realize he is not the best candidate (or person), but lets give him a chance.
Aylin, I absolutely love how you ended your blog with Brother Ryan’s words. After the elections and reading your blog, I understand how fearful you and many other citizens may feel. Hearing about the tweets and comments of other people in the media, and how media has played a significant role in our lives, makes me wonder if this is how our world will be these next four years. Although we are not sure what the future holds, we can at least stay optimistic about what we have now. I cannot help but feel thankful for our CBU community and their willingness to accept us as people and recognize our values regardless of how we look or where we come from. Thank you for such a beautiful blog post.
Aylin, I am thankful for your words and ability to shed truth to light as I too am of terrified by Trump's words. It's amazing how people in this country are so acceptive of the ignorance he spews, yet we're suppose to be a Christian nation that promotes equality and justice for all. America is not who she says she is clearly. From this election, we can only move forward and start created change within ourselves and our communities. I am thankful for the CBU community and how professors provided their offices for safe spaces incase anyone on campus feel misplaced and harm (mentally or physically) in any way.
Renee,
I totally agree with your post. I know people that are afraid when a cop is behind them and some even pray in their heads that they do not get stopped. I hate feeling that way. I hate being a minority in a world where color shouldn't matter. I know it may sound redundant, but God created us all equal and us, humans, destroyed that since the beginning. I feel like as Americans, we have not learned through history what a hateful leader can do to a civilization. Just look at Hitler, trying to make Germany great. I know some people may say not to go to such extreme, but we never know. A civilization will never be forever. I truly feel like it is coming close to the time that America may fall.
Hello, everyone, thank you so much for your kind words. I really wish I knew how to work this feature so that I could respond to each individual comment. ( The @ sign does not work on this site, apparently.) I will try to answer you guys tomorrow morning, but once again, thank you all.
I saw that tweet referreing to the mother and daughter not being able to express themselves amongst the American society after the election. How sad is it to not feel safe in a country that is supposed to be the "land of the free" . Sad to say that the naturalistic judgemental ways of people will probably never change. The many assumptions that people make will forever reign. As a black, gay, Christian , woman i will always have to experience the lower end of the stick and this election just handed me a middle finger to my face. So glad that i attend a university with many open minded people and such a caring community. Imagine if we were at Ole Miss 😒😒
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