Election Reactions
How is this even possible?? I thought we had some intelligence in this country
-Miranda Barraza, Via Twitter
It turns out we actually do, that’s why Hillary is taking this L #GOP
-Luke Creger, Via Twitter in response
Melania Trump will be the 1st immigrant 1st lady since Abigail Adams and you’re all still saying Trump hates immigrants
-Ryan Henkel, Via Twitter
Stop telling people they are dramatic. Stop telling people to ‘chill.’ Maybe, for once, acknowledge that people are hurting and that matters
-Shreya Chattopadhyay, Via Twitter
If you burned the American flag, please don’t ever speak to me again. 🙂
-Haley Berardinelli, Via Twitter
If Trump won the electoral vote, where were all these protesters yesterday to vote against him? Not voting means supporting Trump #civicduty
-Olivia Everett, Via Twitter
Over the past couple weeks I have been watching my social media fill up with people full of hatred for the man we will soon be calling president. I don’t think that is fair or right or just.
I am not ashamed to say I voted for Trump. As first time voter, a woman and as an American I am proud to say I did my research and voted for the person I thought was best to be in charge of my country.
What makes me sad about this situation is how people have handled this. Personally I don’t agree with President Obama’s policies and I probably would not have voted for him. However, he was elected into office and therefore he is my president. I respect him as my commander in chief and have patiently waited until his term would end. If you support him, I don’t judge you. I will not post about how your views are wrong just because they are different.
What makes me sad is when I tell someone I support Trump they look at me two ways. They either look with pity or anger as they try to understand why I voted for such a monster, or they look over their shoulder and whisper “I voted for him too”. It pains me that those who supported Trump were too scared to vocalize their support because they were afraid of what people would think.
Yes, I supported Trump. That does not mean I don’t respect my myself as a woman. That does not mean I am a racist or a bigot. That does not mean I want to watch the world burn. It means that as a female college student who respects the political system I picked the lesser of two evils and supported him. I looked past his personal views and instead looked at how he could better our country which is hurting right now.
Please, don’t bash me for my views. If you preach tolerance of all orientations, races, and genders, please tolerate me. I have yet to poke fun, tear down, or abuse your position. I still want to remain friends after this is all over. So please respect my opinion as I do yours.
I’m asking you to not start this period of American history with so much hate. I am not going to fight your anger with more anger. He was voted into office so let’s pray he does the best he can for us.
-Hayley Taggart, Via Facebook
As someone who supported Hillary Clinton 100% throughout her campaign, I am very saddened by the results of the 2016 election. However, as a feminist it would be against my values to hate someone for doing what they think is best. Therefore, I accept Donald Trump as our new president and I wish him the best of luck. Continue to preach love even if it seems like they don’t deserve it. Everyone deserves equality and support, Everyone. Thank you. ❤️
-Daulton Beck, Via Instagram
These are not riots let me tell you. Oh no not even close. I have never felt more human in my life. Walked with the beautiful people of New York City 44 blocks to a certain tower to express to a certain someone how we feel. No wrong in that; let’s go
-Brooke Best, Via Instagram
One of the few good things about this election is that Alec Baldwin’s gonna stay on as President Trump…
#dumbanddumber #makesnlgreatagain
-Anonymous, Via Instagram
Absolute shock. This was the first emotion I felt when we could start to see that Donald Trump would be our next president late Tuesday night. Like many friends, family, NPHS students, and Americans, this shock quickly turned into dismay and fear. I am terrified of what a Trump presidency looks like. I am scared of what the future holds. I worry for all members of minority groups- from race, to gender, to immigrants, and to the LGBT community. Most of all, I am fearful of the bigotry that not only still exists in the United States, but is thriving. Both candidates have their fair share of issues and shortcomings, but my vote was decided very early on based on how I believe we should treat others in this great nation: with support, compassion, and understanding. Yes, #Imwithher, or rather I was with her, but something was made very clear to me the day after. The election is over- it’s time to stop fighting.
From the early days of campaigning, you could already guess the 2016 election was going to be a polarized one. With vague memories of the 2008 and 2012 election, I saw how starkly different this election was going to be. In both of these previous elections, Americans were not afraid to say who they were supporting. Both sides had an argument that at least could be tolerated by most. This election, however, silenced those that wavered with their support and intensified the shouts from active supporters. Walking to class the day after the election, I was astonished by how polarized our own school was, with many wearing bright blue and others wearing the iconic hat. Then of course a peek into the online world was even worse. Twitter fights, rants on private Instagram accounts, posts about hating this country, hating this swing state or that, hating a certain group of people, hating the “hicks” or hating the “liberals”, “victory” chants and cries, and too many others to share. It is absolutely disgusting. Actions speak louder than words, and this is not the way we treat people. This is still the United States of America, a country with rights that often get taken for granted by its citizens.
It was an ugly election; there’s no other way to put it. Recordings of one candidate talking about sexual assault (which can NEVER be misconstrued as “locker room talk”) appear on the screens in front of millions of children. The other candidate, in the eyes of many, should be put on trial and thrown in jail. These are not the circumstances we should have to look into when choosing a president. It’s very unfortunate, and many feel there was nothing we could do to find common ground. Now, many feel like all there is to do now is wallow in despair, which is understandable- I was there only a few hours ago. However, Ms. Lilly helped change my perspective.
None of us want the President of the United States to fail, regardless of who holds that position. We all want this country to thrive, to progress, to uphold the core values that we all share, regardless of political party or views. To those that supported Trump, I am glad that America has heard your wake up call. To those that supported Clinton, all is not lost, and remember that change comes from within. To both sides, there is still work to be done. But that work will never get done if we stay divided. Everyone will never agree completely on a single issue, but by recognizing what unites us, rather than looking at the opposing sides, American society can progress. We truly are stronger together.
-Liam Lecka, Letter to the Editors
Before reading this, please take the time to reflect. Are you a privileged white teen who has had the benefits and security America has offered to you? If so, please continue reading this with sympathy and open-mindedness towards minorities and people who have faced hardships in their daily life living in a country built on racism and in favor of white supremacy. The presidential election results are the biggest joke in American civilization. By electing Donald Trump, America has showed us its true colors. White. By electing Donald Trump, we are letting the world know what America really is. Racist. Sexist. Homophobic. Islamophobic. Hateful. A man who has insulted every minority in this country was chosen to represent us for four years, appealing to the close-minded, uncompassionate society of the USA. Because of Trump’s presidency, we are demonstrating that this country believes that it’s ok if a man harasses a woman because he is dominant in power. Because of his presidency, we are exposing ourselves to have let a man degrade women’s rights such as equal pay, LGBTQ+ rights, justice for black lives stripped away by brutality, the same rights and security muslim and latino families should be validated with. Not to mention, his vice president, Mike Pence believing that electrocuting gay minors will help ‘cleanse’ them from being born a different sexuality. This is what America has chosen for it’s future. A president favored by the KKK, a man who has a trial up for a rape lawsuit, a man who spreads hate on a country that was progressively shifting away from that. Digressed back a whole century. Women deserve so much better. People of color so much better. We deserve so much better.
-Charles Ocampo, Letter to the Editors
Considering most of the people who go to our school are minors, most of us couldn’t vote. However, most of us still seem to be acting like the people who don’t have the same opinion as us controlled the result of election. Too many friendships have ended, too many fights have been had, too many rude comments have been made. The results of the election are what they are, and sadly, many of the people who are preaching being fair throughout our differences are now the ones who are saying people can’t be forgiven for their differing opinions. I really think it’s sad that people are going at each other’s throats over this. At the end of the day, I think it’s perfectly healthy and well to talk about the election, but ending friendships and accusing each other is too far. The only hope we have now is coming together and healing this great divide we’ve created. It’s time to help each other and fight for each other as friends, even if we don’t agree on who should’ve won. Everything has the potential to work itself out and be perfectly fine, as long as we don’t turn on each other and tear each other down. We’re going to be alright. We must accept each other. The only thing holding us back is fear, and if we come together we can eradicate this fear. Kayne 2020.
-Katie Meyer, Letter to the Editors
With this election, it is needless to say there is much speculation that our future president will strip minorities’ of their civil rights. But Trump can’t take our morality away from us; many of us have already done that to themselves, considering the way they have handled this process.
-Kylie Vincent, Letter to the Editors
I know these election results have upset everyone in our family and in our respective communities. I am shaken, disgusted, and scared too.
I am so lucky because I get to split my time in DC and CA—both liberal, diverse, progressive areas. I am so fortunate to attend GW—the most politically active school in the nation. Because of these environments that I have grown up in, that my parents have fostered for my siblings and me, and that I have chosen to surround myself with, I believe I am educated, level-headed, morally upright, and open-minded.
I listen to other’s opinions. I encourage healthy debate. I hear all sides of every story. I do my research. However, this election has confounded me.
I have questioned my faith in the American political system. I have wondered how it is possible that half of my country is willing to support someone who irreverently spews hate. I have scratched my head at the fact that all branches of the US government—a government I have always hoped and dreamed to work for, will now be deep red. It pains me to see those crimson seats, tainted by the blood of all those who were tossed aside and trampled on in order to win this election.
We fought hard. There is no denying that this was the nastiest race I’ve ever witnessed. And the loss was a punch right to the gut.
As a young woman of color, it is absolutely terrifying to see this man elected into the most important office of the free world. I recall my own struggles as an Asian-American woman. My friends’ experiences with sexual assault and rape. My coworkers’ and classmates’ sufferings through blatant discrimination and racism. And of course, I worry for the future.
But, I pray that the strides we have made under the Obama administration will not have been made in vain. Progress. Hope. Change. These are the ideas that defined Obama’s presidency, and ones that I believe will persevere and continue to grow long after he has left the office.
公公 taught me the character ‘非’ when I was young. To me, ‘非’ means that good things can be bad, and bad things can be good. I know it’s hard to see the ‘good’ side to this right now. But, I think we should remember how this country has given us all so much. It’s given us something to believe in—the idea that anything is possible if we set our minds to it. It’s given us our first African-American president, of whom I am so incredibly proud. It’s given us an opportunity, a chance, a shot at the American Dream. It’s given us the freedom to make our own change.
I am not a politician, nor do I have a large audience. But, the beauty of America is that I still have a voice. I am 1 of those 130 million or so votes cast this election. I am small, but I am not unheard.
I love that the conversation has erupted. That protests are happening. That petitions are being drawn up. That articles are shared, and opinions written. I’m glad that people are standing up for what they believe.
I reread the Gettysburg Address this Veterans’ Day, and it amazes me how it still rings true today:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
Like I told dad yesterday morning, do not wallow in self-pity. What good does that do anyway? Yes, the unthinkable happened. Yes, it’s reprehensible. Yes, take time to mourn today. But tomorrow, get up and be ready to fight.
I want to close with a video that is dear to my heart. Angela and I first started rooting for Hillary long before she even announced her campaign. What started out as a class project ended up as inspiration to design an entire campaign for a highly qualified candidate. By no means is this election the end of those beliefs and values that drove us to support her in the first place. I still believe. I hope you do too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXFG9jF0buU
-Amanda Lu, Letter to the Editors
Dear Mr. Trump,
Congratulations to you and your supporters. What a triumphant moment after such an interesting campaign. You get the credit for being right about the polls and what the country will get and everything. You campaigned in the right places and ran on the perfect campaign message. You deserve the win.
Now comes the hard part. You lost the popular vote. More people in this country did not vote for you than did and you can thank the electoral college for some of the reason for the win. Millions of people are offended by you and what you have said throughout the campaign season and that is not something anyone can deny. What have you done to consolidate their concerns?
Let me be frank – I was not rooting for you. I understand why you won and how you developed such a strong support base, but by no means did I believe your message or in you.
Yet, here we are. You are the president-elect and I am an American citizen. I have the utmost respect for elected government officials and I do not intend to make you an exception. However, you have to understand why I do not trust you. You have relatively no political experience and no respect for the political system unless it works in your favor. Sorry if that is hard to hear. I do not trust that you will lead the country in the right direction or the world. I can not believe that you will fight for causes of people from all corners of the country. I am extremely worried for the state of women’s rights, global warming, and global relations. But then again, I may be wrong. You and your supporters must have something going for you that I am missing. Prove me wrong. Show me that you have the strength and intelligence America needs from a president. I honestly hope the next four years are better than I foresee them.
Good luck,
Jordan Jomsky, Letter to the Editors
Although I’m not old enough to vote, as a young woman and minority, this election was important to me because the issues affect me and everyone in this country. The results of the election were hurtful to many not just because of the topics discussed, but because of the rhetoric used. Trump’s campaign sported a hateful message where one race, gender, and religion was described as superior to others. Although supporting Trump’s campaign does not necessarily mean you are a racist, xenophobic, sexist, bigot, it does however mean that these messages of hate and seclusion at best are not a deal breaker. And that’s a problem. America has taken many steps forward with regards to issues like marriage equality, women’s rights, and unemployment rate. However, this drastic change of power sends a message to all minorities that we are not valued or wanted anymore. Although this is a painful hit to the progress we had made, it is more important than ever that we as the next generation become as active in our government as possible. The electoral map from voters 18-25 showed an almost entirely blue (Democratic) map of America, meaning our generation brings the hope of equality for all as long as we take an active role in our country. Trump has inadvertently caused an army of nasty women to join together who are ready to see our country trump hate and show that we truly are stronger together.
Catie Parker, Letter to the Editors
