Editor’s note: HC Dickinson does not support one particular candidate. All perceivable opinions are those of the author.
Dear America,
It is time to stop pointing your fingers. It is time to stop unfriending your Trump supporting classmates and co-workers, and it is time to stop joking that you’re packing up and moving to Canada.
Hear me out.
Trump is not the problem.
There would have been just as much outrage and protests had Clinton been elected president.
Trump and Clinton are not the problem. Our anger or any other emotion that you feel should not be centered toward them.
If you have to point a finger at someone, blame the media for fueling the fire. The media has politically segregated America by broadcasting polarized channels: Fox and CNN. Both of these channels frame the other “side” as bad, wrong, and harmful to our nation’s progress.
But that’s the thing. You see, the media shouldn’t divide us. We shouldn’t be on opposing sides. Yes, we can disagree with each other, but discussing these opposing sides should be encouraged rather than torn down.
Trump and Clinton are only figures representing the fractured system of our media that is filled with dishonesty and manipulation. No matter who you voted for, this political election seemed a bit too similar to Keeping Up with the Kardashians: the media turned this political election into a reality TV show of who said what and who lied.
However, I do have to say that despite all this disagreement and uncertainty, there is one thing that I think we can all agree on: this election has been a call to action.
Throughout the election journey, Trump and Clinton brought sexism, racism, bigotry and white supremacy to the frontline. These have been issues that our country has been trying to deal with for centuries but have not been handled on a magnitude of such great depth.
The social culture needs to change in America. These issues are now on the frontline and it is our time to act upon it. This is our home and I encourage you to not sit on the couch and watch your opportunity pass by.
This year, as the holidays approach, I know that some of you might be feeling anxious about returning home to where your family and/or community might disagree with your political views. I know it is hard but I encourage you to try to engage in the conversation when it does come up. Ask your relatives or friends for clarification, provide facts or quotes from your perspective and ask questions. Find strength and support in those who share the same belief in you and know that you are not alone in this post-election anxiety.
I hope that you can still enjoy the holiday season despite knowing the political unrest in your household or community. Lean on those who have your back, and don’t only ask questions to those who oppose you, but listen as well. Stand up for what you believe in.
This election is not a setback. This President is not the end of the United States of America. This is a new journey, in which we, the people, especially the youth, must come together, listen to each other and continue to work with each other to make this country a home to all of us.
Whether you are a daughter, sister or friend, whether you are African American, Latina, Asian American, Native American or European, whether you are a citizen, a refugee, an immigrant or an international student, whether you are gay, bisexual, asexual, or straight, whether you are transgender or cisgender, whether you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Hindu, whether you are a scientist or an artist, you belong here and I stand with you.