Donald Trump was just elected the next President of the United States and a lot of people, especially immigrants, women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community, are having a hard time coping. While everyone reacts differently to bad news, the five stages of grief are common among all people from all walks of life. These stages have manifested themselves in the lives of many, as Americans grieve the loss of a nation.
1. Denial
When I woke up on Wednesday morning and saw the results of the election on Twitter, I didn’t believe it. It took a handful of news sites and at least 10 minutes for me to fully accept the fact. This seemed to be the case for many others, whose initial confusion and rejection of the truth led to the next stage of grief, anger.
2. Anger
Anger has been continually manifested since the result was announced early Wednesday morning. Protests have sprung up all over the country, from major cities to small college campuses. Chants of “not my president” have echoed across nearly 20 New York City blocks and others have taken to social media to express their anger and disgust over Trump’s election.
3. Bargaining
Bargaining, in regards to grief, is when people use statements such as “If only we had…” or “We could have…” While many have used social media as a platform to express anger, others have used it to help explain how this happened and what could have been done to prevent it. Placing the blame on others, like those who voted third party or didn’t vote at all, has been a common form of bargaining in post election dialogue.
4. Depression
The most noticeable form of grief, depression, began almost instantaneously for many. Images of people sobbing at the Javits Center, where Clinton supporters gathered on election night, were circulating the Internet within minutes of Clinton’s concession. Others have expressed their sadness for the country and for marginalized people through protests and social media.
5. Acceptance
This is often the hardest stage of grief, but it is definitely the most important. The grieving process is different for everyone and the time frame differs. However, reaching this point is vital in the case. Remaining angry or sad or wondering “what if” prevents progress. America is not made up solely of the choices of our president, but the beliefs and actions of our citizens.
We have been dealt a bad hand this election cycle and we’ll have to deal with it for four years. We may be in denial, angry, bargaining, or sad, but once we take our time to grieve and accept Trump’s presidency, we can move forward and do our best to make a positive impact on our country. Denying the facts, acting with anger, wondering what could have been, and sinking into a depression will not drive us forward. Love must continue to trump hate; we must continue to act with empathy and caring, not turn to hatred and distaste. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”