Wednesday morning I woke up tearful to know that a man currently under investigation for sexually assaulting a minor will be my next president.
In the days leading up to the election, it seemed as if, regardless of you you were supporting, everybody could all agree on one thing: whatever the result, at least it will be over. Having to endure over a year of bizarre scandals and repulsive comments, I sympathize with the American public's collective sigh of resignation. The unfortunate truth, however, is that the decision we made Tuesday night is one we must live with for four years, the consequences of which we will have to live with far beyond that. Millions of Americans will continue to hold their breath as they anticipate which policies of a Trump Presidency may fundamentally change their lives - and if his campaign promises become reality, undoubtedly lives will change. Whether it be children of immigrants waiting to see if their parents will be taken from their home, or Muslim women afraid to wear their hijabs in public, for them the most tiring days are ahead. That is why we can't stop fighting now.
If you voted for Donald Trump, while I would love to ask you why, I don't fault you. Across the United States families have been hurting. The middle class has taken hit after hit thanks to economic policies written and passed by out-of-touch Washington elite the populace no longer feels understand their concerns and fight for their interests. A disillusionment with both major parties was evident, and understandably so. I get it. I'm angry too. When a parent can work 40 plus hours a week and their family still lives in poverty, something is broken. The thing with this election, though, is that so much more was at stake - and the stakes were not the same depending on what side you fell on.
If you supported Trump, a Clinton presidency might have meant higher taxes and more regulation, but nothing much more sinister than that. No one is marginalized by having to help support public education and clean energy. On the other hand, a Trump presidency might mean LGBT youth being subjected to dangerous conversion therapies (an often overlooked cornerstone platform point of Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence) or the bodily autonomy of women jeopardized. A candidate who believes men have a right to women's bodies will hardly be a champion for my civil liberties. It's no surprise that just weeks before the election, Trump supporters were calling for a repeal of the 16th amendment (women's right to vote). When you give gender violence a platform the size of the presidential candidate for a major party, it normalizes it. Suddenly sexist, racist, xenophobic language has become not only mainstream but electable, which means it's become acceptable. Being avidly endorsed by the Klu Klux Klan is apparently okay now. But I refuse to accept that.
I have come to terms with the fact that the man who uncovered the worst in us is now our President, but that just means I plan to fight even harder to make sure the best in us prevails.
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