I sit in tears as I write this. I cannot believe the state America is in. I cannot believe that after eight years with the first African American president, our country has regressed back to its age old tradition of racist, homophobic misogyny. As a young female voter, I had a lot of hope for the future. I had hope that for the first time in U.S. history we would hear the words, “Madame President”. I had hope that young kids would be able to look at their leader and think, “Anyone, despite their gender, has the potential to be great”. Instead, I worry that my generation will see a resurgence in the abolishment of civil rights for anyone who is not a white, cisgender, christian man. I grieve for America. I grieve for the diversity that does make America great.
Furthermore, I want to consider what a Trump presidency means for women. Hillary Clinton, despite her flaws, is an American hero. She is resilient and strong. She waited years for this election and she came so close to success. Donald Trump does not represent hard work. Donald Trump does not represent morality. Donald Trump said he likes to “grab women by their pussies” and was accused of sexual assault. And, somehow, this man beat the first serious female presidential candidate. The glass ceiling just became 10 times higher. How do we bounce back from that? How to do we get up from such a devastating blow? Not easily, I’m discovering. America told us that we don’t matter. And, beyond that, that anyone who doesn’t fit Trump’s extremely specific mold doesn’t matter. It is going to be a tough four years. We are going to see a lot of regress and a lot of pain. We already experienced some of it during the campaign and, yet, Donald Trump is still the president elect. My view of the future is bleak, but it isn’t totally dark.
What does it mean to be a woman in the Trump presidency? For some, it means sitting back and accepting our fate. For others, I hope, it means standing up. A Trump presidency should mean reaction. I am fed up with rape culture. I am fed up with the wage gap. I am fed up with privileged men taking the voices from minority groups and women. Involve yourself in the political process. Do not let Trump destroy our country. This is a time for healing. This is a time for unity. Take action in the next four years. Do not sit idly by as so many did on November eighth. Make your voices heard. I am angry at my country. I am angry at my fellow citizens and some of my family members. I plan to channel that anger into something productive. The divides created by Trump will not prevail. Trump may be the next president, but there is no way he will define our America. So, be with her, not just Hillary Clinton, but all of the hers in the US. Stand by us and love us. Remember to protect the rights of those who are at risk. A Trump presidency is not funny. It is the most drastic change America has faced in the last eight years. Do something about it. Don’t allow the women, Muslims, minorities, and LGBT+ citizens in our community to become victims. In the words of First Lady Michelle Obama, “When they go low, we go high”. In the upcoming years, I intend to soar.