If there were to be any time in the past year when such a large number of people needed some sign of comfort and hope, it’d be now. The devastating consequences of Donald Trump’s campaign has taken it’s toll on people of marginalized groups. Despite the attempts of some people to placate the fear and anger that has risen by saying there is nothing for us to worry about, we have seen enough horrors to be afraid of what is to come.
Since the announcement of the President-elect, members of marginalized groups have come to live in terror and fearful anticipation. In a recent New York Times article, it has been reported that Cesar Vargas, an immigration rights leader, was flooded with death threats saying, “We are going to come and find you.” The article details the fear-sweeping throughout the community of marginalized people in America. There are many other examples (in addition to the multiple tweets, videos and photos that have sprung up on social media) detailing these acts of hatred, racism and bigotry.
#DonaldTrump won the election & white people already don’t know how to act
This white boy told me I’m a Nigger and should be pickin cotton. pic.twitter.com/aPgRr7Zryo— Jaae (@Jaaezus) November 9, 2016
ONE day later… and Asians are dealing with confident racism & violence from Trump supporters across the US pic.twitter.com/A8Wo0S17A4
— Nerdy Asians (@NerdyAsians) November 10, 2016
Day 1 of a Donald Trump America: pic.twitter.com/TuKW1gyqln
— kay (@kayleighcat) November 10, 2016
Real reassurance, hope, and progress does not lie in denying the presence of racism, bigotry, and hate crimes. It is in acknowledging the presence of these hateful acts and refusing to accept it.
That is exactly what many, mostly millennials and people of marginalized groups, have taken to doing. Anti-trump protests have emerged throughout the country in cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Washington D.C., and more. In Los Angeles, hundreds of protestors spilled onto the 100 and 101 highway, blocking traffic and chanting “We reject the president elect”, as well as “Respect all women” and “Not my president”.
“Trump is an evil man … this was bound to happen.” – Vivian Valdez, 25, of LA who is leaning on car stuck on 101 pic.twitter.com/VwRYUYIFyo
— James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) November 10, 2016
In New York, thousands started protesting in Union Square before some broke off to march towards Trump Tower. The number of protestors reached almost 8,000 people. The same happened in Chicago, where almost 2,000 protestors gathered outside of the Trump Tower, yelling, “No Trump! No KKK! No fascists USA!”
Anti-Trump march heads up the Magnificent Mile. Taking up all six lanes of Michigan Avenue. pic.twitter.com/gKbRDT4OcX
— Stacy St. Clair (@StacyStClair) November 10, 2016
To those that say we have not given him a chance to lead, you are right. We do not want to give opportunity to a man who has influenced and inflicted harm upon our communities time and time again to represent us. We have no promise he will do what is best for us when his campaign played on fear and disgust of our people. Despite addressing the very real concerns on the decline of manufacturing jobs etc, he exploited a hatred that led to his victory and the harm of many others. He compromised the safety of many Americans and that can no longer be allowed.
For those of you who were close to giving up hope, I pray this article reminds you that you are not alone. There are too many of us to stay silent and allow the beat-down of our people without a fight. Donald Trump’s victory in the election has exposed deep-rooted bigotry and racism that we must continue to work hard to change. We will continue to be heard. Accepting defeat and losing faith in our beliefs will change nothing and benefit no one.
Now that he has been elected President, we are presented with both a terrifying and opportunistic future. Hatred has become open and so has our defiance against sitting down and taking it.
