Years from now, the unsettling nature of the 2016 presidential election will likely resonate even more deeply with future generations. I have faith that the years ahead will guide our nation toward greater inclusivity, diversity, and understanding. I doubt history will look favorably upon Mr. Trump’s candidacy; his legacy may serve as a disfiguring mark on the landscape of modern democracy.
I envision a time when our children learn about the actions and consequences of Trump’s campaign, and they will want to know how we, as witnesses to that tumultuous period, responded. They might pose difficult questions, reflecting on our feelings and actions during that time.
When he raised unfounded doubts about the birthplace of the sitting president, did we recognize the underlying prejudice? Did we come to the defense of differently-abled individuals when Trump ridiculed a reporter with a disability? When he suggested registering an entire religion, did we draw parallels to past injustices? Did we confront the seriousness of his boastful admissions about sexual assault? And when allegations arose regarding the assault of a young girl, did we consider how plausible such accusations were given his history?
Were we vocal when he dishonored veterans and those suffering from PTSD? Did we challenge his derogatory remarks about women? When he referred to Hispanic immigrants in derogatory terms, did we stand up to condemn his views? His support from white supremacists and hate groups should have raised alarms—did we question why these factions rallied behind him?
When numerous women came forward with allegations of sexual assault, did we listen beyond the fleeting news cycle? Did we take seriously the claims of those who said they were wronged by Trump in business? When he attacked the family of a fallen soldier, did we recognize the Islamophobia in his words? Throughout his rallies, amidst calls for violence, did we uphold the right to peaceful protest?
As he attempted to silence media outlets, did we perceive the threat to our First Amendment rights? When he associated with conspiracy theorists and spread misinformation, did we pursue the truth relentlessly? Did we express outrage when he suggested war crimes as a candidate for commander-in-chief?
In moments when he dehumanized refugees, did we extend our compassion and support? His cavalier attitude towards nuclear warfare should have alarmed us; did we express our fears? Did we defend the integrity of our democratic process when he prematurely claimed the election was rigged? As we witnessed his constant lies, did we question how anyone viewed him as trustworthy?
I picture our children, years from now, anxiously awaiting our responses to these inquiries, much like we once sought answers from our elders about past crises. They will want assurance that we stood on the right side of history.
I hope they will see Trump’s campaign for what it truly was: a manifestation of hatred, lies, and bigotry. It will sadden them to learn of the division he exacerbated within our society. They may be disillusioned to discover that he garnered substantial support as the Republican candidate and might realize that individuals they know stood by him. When they look at us and ask if we supported him, I want us to confidently say we did not. More importantly, I want to tell them what we did to stop him.
What actions did we take against Trump? His supporters often prided themselves on his unorthodox approach, and indeed, he has never held public office before attempting to lead our nation. For me, he doesn’t even embody the Republican ideals I respect; this transcends party politics—it’s a matter of basic human decency.
So when our children ask about our efforts to oppose Trump, I want to recount a story of unity—how we came together to declare that he was wrong. America has always been great; after overcoming his challenge, we embraced the diversity, resilience, and kindness that define us. We refused to let his bigotry represent our values. Despite the embarrassment of having someone so unworthy come so close to the White House, we learned from the experience and committed to preventing it from happening again.
And we certainly made our voices heard on election day.
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Summary
In reflecting on the past, we must confront the actions and inactions during Trump’s candidacy, recognizing the importance of standing up against bigotry and hatred. We should aspire to share with future generations how we united to affirm our values and protect the integrity of our democracy.