Since the election seems to be the
most discussed topic on and off campus I figured I might as well think about
what it has meant to me personally as well as my friends. Thinking about this
election I cannot begin to put into words how much this election has changed
the future of the election process as a whole. Between the different tactics
used by both parties and all the candidates ever involved you can see how different
candidates tried to win people’s hearts and votes. This was my first election
to vote in and fully be a part of and I’m thankful and glad for the experience
and choice. Growing up in Texas it has always seemed that Republican would be
the way to vote and that’s how my beliefs systems were shaped. From having a
father who is a minister and not born in this country, to a mother who is a
teacher and coach, to having family members lay their lives in service to the
greatest country in the world that is America, to having family in the judicial
system, and lastly family from overseas that were immigrants it has shaped my
beliefs into how they are to this day. Whether it is right or wrong (to
whoever’s eyes are reading this blog) to vote for Trump, that is what I did
because of the potential future I saw with his Presidency and my beliefs and
background. I see the future for a far stronger cabinet that will be put
together among other things. Now whether or not I get blamed or called out for
such thing it does not truly matter to me because it is just someone’s opinions
and I’m not the only one who elected him as our President.
To me and many others it seemed to
become pretty obvious this past Tuesday evening that people were tired of
government’s role these past few years. The clean sweep of the House, Senate,
and Presidency can only mean that people believed the country to be better off
without the Obama administration and did not see the need to have another
Clinton in office. That being said just because I voted for Trump does not mean
I fully align with everything he says. There is no way anyone could ever say to
me that they completely align with everything a candidate says, not even
Hillary, it’s just not in human nature to believe everything someone says.
What hurts the most is seeing the
actions of people post-election and that we are dividing ourselves even further
apart as a country. Is there not enough love in people’s hearts to come
together and affect change in a positive way? I believe there is and that can
only come through God. The burning of the American flag is utterly outrageous,
disgusting, and despicable. Granted I cannot rationalize with someone who burns
the American flag, but to be at that point to do something so drastic there is
just no place for. Burning the American flag is something that foreign enemies
do (i.e. ISIS) and it is sickening to see, especially on Veteran’s Day.
There are far more greater issues that
are going on in this world right that outweigh being upset over someone being
President that could use our full attention and efforts. I have friends who are
farmers and they feed America, it does not just magically appear in the grocery
stores for us to buy at our leisure, it takes hard work and labor just like
anything else in this world. They have been overlooked these past few years and
that’s why many voted for Trump so that they could be heard and affect change
in our food systems. These people work so hard that they have no choice but to
strap up their boots and go to work each day because they serve a greater
purpose, which is feeding this country. We all serve a greater purpose than
arguing about something that did not go the way we wanted it to. You knew what
was going to happen when you decided to live in a country where democracy runs
the land, it’s 50/50 what will happen, so if it doesn’t go your way put your
boots on and go to work.
I have so much love for this
country that I would hate to see it come crashing down because of a few people’s
actions during tough times.
I appreciate your honesty about this past election. However, I feel that it is important for you to acknowledge that you had the privilege of voting for Trump because you are a white male. You say "just because I voted for Trump does not mean I fully align with everything he says." Being a white male, you have the privilege of voting for him because the policies that you do not agree with will not affect you. Your reproductive rights nor your rights as an American citizen are being threatened. Your identity is protecting you and that is why you were able to vote for him. It is also important to remember that African Americans did not choose to live in this country. They were kidnapped and brought over here on slave ships. Please consider the historical context of our country before you make claims like this.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is sad to see that our country has become so divided over the presidential election, but it is important to take into consideration why people are feeling this way. Trump’s rhetoric throughout the election was absurd, insulting, and threatening for many ethnic groups and citizens of the United States. For those of Latino or Muslim background, his hate messages terrified them, and our future President should not instill this kind of fear in people. You say that, “there are far more greater issues that are going on in this world,” which is true, but many U.S. women are sensitive to potential for being stripped of their access to reproductive health services, and law-abiding immigrants are fearful about possibly getting thrown out of the country. In the end, the outcome of the election is now decided, and I think that we should come together as a community to create a safe space for ALL members, and try to understand why people are divided, confused, and uncomfortable.
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