Years from now, the fallout from the 2016 presidential election will likely loom larger in the minds of future generations. I have faith that as time goes on, our country will evolve into a more inclusive, diverse, and enlightened society. Mr. Trump’s candidacy, I believe, will be viewed as a dark mark on the story of modern democracy.
I envision our children, in their curiosity, asking us what it was like to experience that time. They’ll want to know how we felt and, more importantly, what we did in response to the chaos.
When he questioned the birthplace of the sitting president for no good reason, did we recognize the undertones of prejudice? When Trump mocked a reporter with disabilities, did we step up for those who are differently abled? When he proposed registering an entire religious group, did we see the chilling echoes of history? When he bragged about committing sexual assault, did we condemn such abhorrent behavior? When he faced allegations of raping a 13-year-old, did we think it was too far-fetched given his past? When he insulted veterans struggling with PTSD, did we demand respect for those who served? When he bullied women, did we speak out against his words?
When he called immigrants from Latin America rapists and criminals, did we set the record straight? When white supremacists rallied around him, did we consider the implications? When numerous women accused him of sexual assault, did we take their claims seriously beyond a fleeting news cycle? When former colleagues described being wronged by him, did we think twice about his business ethics? When he attacked the family of a fallen soldier, did we recognize the Islamophobia embedded within? When he incited violence at rallies, did we uphold the right to peaceful protest? When he attacked the media, did we see the potential threat to our first amendment rights?
When he embraced conspiracy theorists, were we relentless in seeking the truth? When he suggested war crimes as a leader, were we horrified? When he dehumanized refugees, did we offer our help? When he casually mentioned nuclear weapons, were we alarmed? When he claimed the election was rigged before it even happened, did we defend our democratic values? When we noticed his constant lying, did we question how he could be trusted?
I can picture our kids, sitting on the edge of their seats, waiting for our answers—much like we once did with our own parents about past upheavals. We want to assure them that we stood on the right side of history.
I believe our children will eventually see Trump’s campaign for the toxic force it was, filled with lies, hatred, and bigotry. They might be disheartened to discover that he had a following and even more so, that they may know people who supported him. They will look to us and ask if we were among those supporters. When we tell them we were not, they’ll want to know what actions we took to stop him.
What did we do to stop Trump? That’s the question that future generations will ask. Many of his supporters took pride in his outsider status, and they were right; he never held elected office before running for president. It’s hard to even classify him as a Republican, given his ever-changing stances and the fact that Republicans deserve better. This is not merely a political issue; it’s about basic human decency.
So when the day comes that we’re asked what we did to stop Trump, I want to respond that we united as a nation and proclaimed he was wrong. America was great, and after defeating him, we celebrated the diversity, resilience, and kindness that truly make us exceptional. We refused to let his bigotry define us. Despite the embarrassment of how close he came to the White House, we learned from that experience and vowed never to let it happen again. And, oh yes, we definitely showed up on election day!
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In summary, as we reflect on the 2016 election, it’s crucial to acknowledge our collective responsibility. Future generations will ask us what we did, and it’s up to us to ensure we can answer with pride.