we must only get tired of giving in

Today I woke up in a state of sadness, Donald Trump is the US President. For all the hope I constantly have for a world of love, peace, equality and compassion was being challenged, and there was a part of me that seriously thought of giving up. But in times like these, that is one option, the other is to work harder than ever before. It is a wakeup call to never underestimate the power of sexism, racism and other bigotry in the world and the fact that those with privilege feel threatened when it is shared. They don’t understand allowing others the same rights doesn’t take away from theirs. The privileged section of society feels an injustice when its sees its power slipping away. They are scared and acting out that their power might be challenged. Trump did and said whatever he could to “win” the presidency, and in that gave voice to many discriminations that groups have worked centuries to overcome.

“Make America Great Again” the slogan that propelled the Trump movement. What does make America great again mean? Many Trump supporters that were asked this said the 1950s, a time where abortion was illegal, marital rape was legal, and interracial and gay marriage were banned. Or some even said when the country was founded, where slavery existed and only white males had the right to vote, among many other ills. Meaning that slogan is wanting to go back to a time where the white male heterosexual Christians dominated even more than they do now. During this election period, white supremacists rose, the Klu Klux Klan (KKK) endorsed Trump, praising that his ‘Make America Great Again’ call was important to prevent white genocide. The KKK claimed to help Trump to victory. The fact that organisation still exist in 2016 is sad enough but to think their voice and aims may grow now is terrifying.

I saw a comment today online from a Trump supporter saying all those that called Trump and his supporters sexist and racist pushed him to vote for Trump and that it was all those people’s faults he won. Trump is sexist and racist, there are too many examples of this to even note. So speaking the truth, and calling someone out for their inappropriate behaviour was seen as a challenge to these people. Could there be a more perfect example of this privileged group feeling threatened by equality.

Trump won the ‘white vote’, with the only group of whites not supporting Trump being college-educated white women. There are reports even 80 per cent of white evangelists voted for Trump, so it goes to show that with all his flaws by religious standards, conservatives were happy to have still have him in power to protect them from minority power growing. Over history, violence between groups was caused by a change in the legal and political status of minority groups. The election of Barack Obama could have contributed to the surge in what has been called a ‘whitelash’, a movement from the white population to take back the power that felt they were losing. The resentment the whites have felt in ‘losing the country’ pushed them to cling to their power and prevent other groups from having it.

It’s no coincidence that the far right, anti-immigration political leaders around the world were the first to congratulate Trump. Already, Israeli government ministers have claimed that Trump’s presidency will lead to the end of international will for a Palestinian state and for Israel to immediately retract the notion. Russia and terrorist groups have welcomed his election, as it makes it all easier for them.

I am worried for many people around the world whose lives will be significantly affected by a Donald Trump presidency and saddened that we will be moving backwards from equality and peace. I have to hope that Trump only said the derogatory and discriminatory comments to get the votes and win and he doesn’t really mean it. I am then still left with the reality that his supporters actually believe them. History has shown the world that oppression is another name for irresponsible power. But as Martin Luther King said “the ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people”. If I let this defeat me, if I stay silent where there is injustice, I will have sided with the oppressor. So even though it looks grim, and fear and sadness have set in, I have to believe there is still a better future from this. We have been through far worse in history but it’s the grief that we are going backwards that makes this particular moment hurt. It is when a generation is pushed that they can achieve greatness and I hope this spurs us all to leave hatred behind and that love and compassionate will rise above fear. To make peace with your enemy, you have to work with them and to do that you have to keep the faith and continue fighting. Our lives begin to end when we become silent about things that matter (MLK). So today while others have chosen hate, I choose hope - there is no other way.

“Never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it” Hillary Clinton, 9 November, 2016