Dear Donald Trump Voter,
Almost a month has passed since the election so we have all had time to think,
process, and accept the results of the election. You may have had your celebrations of your candidate winning, as well as Clinton supporters have had the time to grieve their loss. We have all had the opportunity to see the ways this election and the results has affected our everyday lives whether it’s been through social media, the news, or from our family and friends. This election has most definitely brought out the worst in some people. It has torn apart friendships and relationships and maybe even families. At the end of the election it seemed like you were either one or the other, a Trump supporter or a Trump hater, right? If you thought Trump was the lesser of the two evils, you were probably called a racist, a homophobe, a sexist, hateful, and so on. I’m sure you’re not. I’m sure you have people in your life who are of different color than you, who are of a different religion than you, who are of a different sex than you, who are attracted to different people than you. I’m also sure you love those people and care for their well being. Well if you voted for Trump ask yourself how much do you actually love them and how much do you actually care for their well being?
When you casted your vote, I’m sure your thoughts were that he couldn’t actually make Mexico pay for a wall, deport millions of human beings, and ban a certain religion from the U.S., right? For the sake of America, I sure pray not. I’m sure you decided to
put away the fact that he wants to defund Planned Parenthood and take away the rights to an abortion. Simply the rights to a women’s reproductive system to be more exact. I’m sure you decided to put away the fact that he’s on trial for the rape of a child in December. I’m sure you decided to put away the fact that he called a certain race “lazy” and said that Mexico is sending their “worst.” Because they’re just words, right? I’m sure you decided to put away the fact that he said, “Our great African-American President hasn’t exactly had a positive impact on the thugs who are so happily and openly destroying Baltimore.” I’m sure you decided to put away the fact that he publicly offended a disabled human being. I’m sure you decided to put away the fact that he said he grabs women by the “pussy” right? I mean it was years ago. I’m sure you decided that him justifying those words by saying it was just “locker room talk” was okay. I’m sure you decided to put away the fact that he doesn’t support same sex marriage, something America has come so far with. I’m sure you decided that him being endorsed by the KKK was something that it didn’t really matter. I’m sure you decided that the rumors of Hillary Clinton’s “hidden emails” were more important. I’m sure you decided that that was far more important even though it went under an FBI investigation. I’m sure the memes of “Killary Clinton” were the first thing you thought about. I’m sure the rumors of her being responsible for the deaths of American lives were more important. I’m sure Donald Trump talking about women the way he did was better than Hillary Clinton’s husband doing it. Even though HILLARY would be the president, not her husband, right? I’m sure the flaws Hillary had outweighed the inhuman campaign Donald Trump carried along. I’m sure you thought we needed a business man to help us through the economy. To “Make America Great Again” right?
Although I cannot tell you what your exact thoughts were when you decided to send in your vote, I can tell you this: your vote mattered. Yes, your vote may have been because you had a better vision for the economy, healthcare, etc. Sure your vote may have justified that to you. But more importantly, your vote justified that racism still exists. Your vote justified that sexism still exists. Your vote justified that homophobia still exists. Your vote justified that hate still exists.
And you may ask yourself, so what? All of those things will always exist. They did
years ago, and clearly they still do. But ever since those years have gone by, a lot has changed.
I’m not exactly sure what your version of “Making America Great Again” may be either. Was your vision wealth? Was it the ruling of a white supremacist? Was it the idea of one single language in America? One single race? One single religion? Borders being closed off? Was your idea of “Making America Great Again” what it was like 100 years ago?
Well of course not, right? America 100 years ago wasn’t the welcoming and diverse America it is today. How far we’ve come in supporting the LGBTQ community, people of color, people of different religions and backgrounds. America 100 years ago wasn’t that, and going back to that is definitely not what Donald Trump’s version of “Making America Great Again” could be. But didn't his words say otherwise? Someone who used his power to tear down people who were of different color, religion, background, etc. as him. He used his power to promise changes that would tear families apart and impact the lives of many in such negative ways. Someone who promised to
deport millions of people who came to the U.S. because they saw it as a place for a better future. Someone who promised to bad one certain religion. People who came to the U.S. as hopeful humans rather than criminals “stealing” jobs and benefits from those who were born here. People who came to the U.S. in hope to contribute to a better society than the one they were a part of before.
There are many things that make up an election and are factors of the decision people make. War, the economy, religion, healthcare, the oil pipelines, political parties, and so on. Donald Trump made this election more than just those things though. Like Michelle Obama said, this was about basic human decency. All of the other things about an election are important, no doubt. But the basic rights of humans? Six days after the video of Donald Trump bragging about grabbing women inappropriately, our own First Lady took the time to say something about it at a campaign rally for Hillary Clinton. She said, “This is not normal. This is not politics as usual.” Aren’t the basic right of humans a little more important than everything else? While an election should be about which leader will help this country grow and prosper, Donald Trump’s campaign and vision for “Making America Great Again” went even further than that. His victory left many questioning the human decency of those around them. If we understood that with everyone having equal rights, everyone feeling safe and confident, everyone being able to voice their opinion without being afraid, everyone being able to be themselves without being judged or shamed on, everyone being able to bring in a part of their culture and feel that others truly appreciate it, that with this we will accomplish the idea that America truly is the greatest country in the world. A country where women, men, them, who are gay, lesbian, straight, bi, etc.; who are black, native, white, hispanic, asian, etc.; who are
entitled to make their own decisions about their own bodies whether that means tattoos, piercings, abortions, etc. could feel safe and happy.
The day after the election was different for everyone and how we reacted was, of course, different as well. Some happy, some sad, some scared, some angry, some disappointed, some couldn’t care less, but feelings certainly floated around. My FaceBook feed flooded with emotions, along with my face to face conversations the couple following days. A friend from my FaceBook, Maria Chavez, had shared one of her friend’s, Flor Hernandez, post the day after the election and that post really stood out to be because of the simplicity and heart touching words she used. Flor Hernandez’s post read, “America you broke my heart today. America the beautiful. America the free. America the brave. You broke my heart and you have disillusioned me. You have disappointed your people and the world.” Also, while working at a bazaar near by the day after the election, a woman came up and explained how even the prettiest jewelry we were selling couldn’t cheer her up. How even though it was her birthday, the day seemed like a big nightmare. She went on about how there had been many disappointing elections but nothing like Donald Trump’s victory. People were in shock and disbelief. I woke up to texts from friends saying how scared their families were, I woke up to classes being cancelled, I woke up to fear. While there are many things I am scared of, I never thought I’d be scared of the President of the United States. Someone who is supposed to amplify grace, class, leadership qualities; radiate love, comfort, equality; someone who is supposed to be a figure and representation of America. Instead the president elect’s vision is one race, one religion, one sex in power, wealth being the most important thing. And that is what I fear for. I fear because this
country would no longer be diverse, would no longer be exposed to the many different amazing religions and races and languages and cultures, would no longer share the equality and idea that women can do just as much as men, would no longer be America the free. America the brave. America the beautiful.
Your vote mattered. Your vote made a difference in this election. But that was then. The past is the past and while many wish they could pull their ballot out and change their vote, they can’t. The choices you make now will affect your future, just how your choices in the past, such as your vote, affected today. Don’t hold it against yourself, but rather use it as a motivator to make a better difference today and tomorrow and even four years down the road when the next election polls around. If, and lets hope by all means not, another presidential candidate makes you question the human decency he/she/them radiates to others, do not vote for him/her/them.
Now instead of questioning why there are people protesting, go protest with them. They are protesting to let everyone know they won’t settle for this. They are protesting to be heard. Donate to organizations and clubs who are working together to create safe spaces for those who no longer feel safe. Join those organizations. Let people know you support their well being and their rights as a human being. Come together with those who are working towards making history and turning the outcome of this election into something better than hate, sexism, racism, and misogyny. Stand with those who want to prove to Donald Trump that we will not support his crazy and radical propositions he has to offer.
Yes, we can sit around, hope for the best, and pray that he doesn't follow through with his promises. We can. But instead lets be safe rather than sorry. Instead lets link
together and stand against him and anyone else who truly believes that the basic human rights are at stake as you read this. Who truly believe this isn’t affecting every day lives as you read this. Lets educate each other and show each other what America really is about. Lets empower each other. Lets show each other how great a country with diversity and equality for all can accomplish. Lets show each other how much more advanced we can become as a whole rather than as a segregated group of humans. Lets show each other than we can overcome our differences and lift each other up. Lets make America OUR version of great.
With love,
Abril Silva
