November 7, 2016
Years from now, the unsettling events of the 2016 presidential election will likely seem even more alarming to future generations. I’m optimistic that in the years ahead, our nation will evolve into a more inclusive, diverse, and enlightened society. I doubt history will look kindly upon Mr. Trump’s bid for the presidency; his legacy will likely be an unsightly mark on the landscape of modern democracy.
I can envision our children someday learning about the disturbing actions and rhetoric of Trump during that election cycle. They’ll want to know how we felt as the events unfolded, but more importantly, they’ll ask what we did in response.
When he questioned the birthplace of the sitting president without a shred of evidence, was the underlying prejudice not glaring? When Trump mocked a reporter with a disability, did we stand up for those who are differently abled? When he proposed registering an entire religious group, did we miss the historical ramifications? When he boasted about sexual assault, did we recognize that such behavior is criminal and completely unacceptable? When he faced allegations of raping a 13-year-old girl, did we consider how plausible it was given his past?
When Trump disparaged veterans and POWs with PTSD, did we demand respect for those who served? When he bullied women, did we shrug it off? When he labeled Hispanics as rapists and criminals, did we correct him? When he garnered support from white supremacists and hate groups, did we ponder why they rallied behind him?
When multiple women accused Trump of sexual assault, did we pay attention or let it fade into the 24-hour news cycle? When former business partners claimed he had wronged them, did we question his business integrity? When he attacked the family of a fallen soldier because of their faith, did we notice the Islamophobia in his comments? When he incited violence at his rallies, did we uphold the right to peaceful protest?
When he attempted to silence and sue media outlets, did we recognize the threat to our First Amendment rights? When he cozied up to conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones and spread falsehoods himself, were we vigilant in our pursuit of the truth? When he endorsed war crimes as a potential commander-in-chief, were we horrified? When he dehumanized refugees in crisis, did we offer assistance? When he spoke carelessly about nuclear war, were we anxious? When he claimed the election would be rigged before it even occurred, did we stand up for our democratic process?
I imagine our children will have questions about all of this, much like we once asked our parents about the turbulent moments in history. They’ll want to know that we stood on the right side of history. I envision them seeing Trump’s campaign for the hateful and deceitful endeavor it truly was. They’ll be dismayed to discover the level of bigotry he stirred within our society.
I can see them grappling with the realization that he had numerous supporters as the Republican candidate. They’ll likely recognize people they know who backed him. Then, they’ll turn to us and boldly ask whether we supported him. When we say we didn’t, they’ll demand to know what we did to stop him.
So what did we do to stop Trump? That’s the question I believe the future will pose to us. Many of his supporters reveled in his non-traditional approach to politics, and while they’re correct in that he isn’t your typical politician—having never held elected office—it’s hard to even label him a Republican. He’s flip-flopped on issues and parties to the point where I believe the GOP deserves better. This goes beyond politics; it’s about basic human decency.
When we’re confronted with that question about what we did to stop Trump, I want to confidently say that we united as a nation and told him he was wrong. America is already great. After overcoming his divisive rhetoric, we embraced the diversity, resilience, and kindness that truly make our nation great. We refused to let his bigotry define us. Despite the embarrassment that someone so reprehensible came so close to the White House, we learned from this experience and resolved never to let it happen again.
And we certainly made our voices heard on election day.
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In summary, it’s crucial to reflect on how we respond to divisive figures and rhetoric in our society. As we look to the future, we must strive to ensure that our actions align with our values and that we leave a legacy of integrity for the next generation.