My first impression of Donald J. Trump was that he was a funny man. My family and I used to watch his reality TV show “The Apprentice,” religiously every Thursday night, and see the aspiring businessmen and women compete to be in Trump’s good graces. Nowadays, instead of men and women competing to work at one of Trump’s hotels, they’re competing to be his right-hand to have partial control of the United States of America. On November 9, 2016, the nation was at a standstill, in shock at our new President-elect–Donald Trump. Since Trump’s win, all around the country people are taking a stand to combat what he stands for, or what he seems to stand for from prior statements. During Trump’s campaign, he promised policy change and potential new policies for when he’s in office, such as building a wall between the United States and Mexico, creating some form of punishment for women who get abortions and repealing Obamacare. Americans of different ethnicities, religions and sexual orientations have been protesting and rallying to show Trump that he is not, and never will be, their president. Even here at UF, there was a rally against Trump, which led to Trump supporters backing up our future president. The rally ended up being a battle between both sides trying to convince each other why their side was better than the others.
Many Americans are now living in fear, knowing that they have a president who has no political experience whatsoever. However, as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, “There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.” Here are a couple of things to keep in mind to calm your nerves now that Donald J. Trump is our President-elect.
1. Trump does not have the power to deport your family
My hometown Miami is a city made up of various cultures and ethnicities and I have a lot of friends who aren’t here legally and are horrified by the reality of Trump being our future president because of the wall he wants to build. As much as Donald Trump wants to “build that wall” and send immigrants back to their country, it’s important to remember that Trump can’t just make up laws as the president. All laws must be passed through Congress, so nothing too drastic can happen because of just one man.
2. Still having concerns? Speak to your professor.
If your professors haven’t spoken to you already about the election, speak to them. Almost all of my professors have taken matters into their own hands to make sure all students feel welcome in their classes and that if we have any concerns that they are all ears. If you want to hear some words of advice or clarity from someone else other than a friend or family member, a professor is your best bet!
3. Stand together and have an open mind.
Now that Trump is the President-elect, it seems that more and more acts of racism, sexism and bigotry are occurring all over the country. It’s hard to believe that a country that has come so far over the years with justice and quality seems to be suddenly taking steps backward. Regardless of the acts, you must remember what the United States was founded on. It was founded on a system that wasn’t made to destroy the middle class or prevent immigrants from becoming United States citizens. Come January 2017, Donald Trump will be our President, and the United States will face yet another political change. It is only natural that after eight years of having a democratic president that a republican would be next. Do not be afraid to be who you are or state your opinions, but have faith that the United States will prevail as it always does.
Photo Credit: Alex Ciccarone & Time Magazine