Trump’s Victory Causes Massive Hysteria
By Joshua Gibbons @littlegibbe
The 2016 Presidential Election has finally come to a close, and has left the nation divided. Surges of Democrats and Republicans cast their votes during the past month, and the results show two very opposing sides. Results started to flow in around 6pm Pacific time, and continued until well past midnight, with Hillary Clinton conceding to Donald Trump’s lead of 279 to 228 electoral votes. Almost instantaneously, peoples’ reactions were flaring up everywhere. Social media exploded with overwhelming negative responses to Trumps’ victory, with only a few sprinkles of happy posts. Many are in disbelief to the person this country has elected for its president. Supporters of Clinton and those who dislike Trump are up in arms; college students, teachers, parents, and both Democrats and Republicans everywhere are continuing to express their reactions to the outcome of this election. This race to 270 has been one of the most uproarious events in U.S. history.
People are terrified and frightened for what the future holds. Many of them being members of groups Donald Trump has belittled and antagonized, including people of color, women, foreigners, and those who identify as LGBT. “Embarrassed” and “ashamed” are a few of the occurring words that are spoken by those against Trump. “I, as a gay male, feel ashamed that this country would either choose not to decide on the sexist, ableist, heterosexist, racist individual that is Trump. I’m saddened at the hatred in his country. Pray for love. Get out and volunteer. Tell your friends and family you love them. Make America feel again.” This quote comes from Tyler Tennant, a 21 year old student at the University of Portland. Tyler graduated from Earl Wooster High School back in 2013. Since then, he has moved to Portland and now studies languages. Tyler also said that he feels ashamed for his country and that “Trump will not be [his] voice.” Mike Pence, Donald Trump’s vice president, has said that Trump will roll back Obama’s LGBT rights protections, which deeply threatens the lives of people like Tyler.
Although there is extreme backlash, there are those who simply want to make peace with the transpired events, and move forward as a country. Many believe it is in our nation’s best interest to accept what has happened, and continue on. “We all need to work together as a country now more than ever and get along. Less hatred. We are all friends and family here. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and [we need to] hold hands and move on as a country and hope for the best with what our future holds.” This comes from Laura Golish, a Reno resident and mother of two who believes that although people disagree on issues, we can all remain a family and that no one should show aggression and point fingers, regardless of the outcome. “Trump is just one person, but we are many. Have a drink, eat some carbs, maybe cry a little, but it’s not over. Sometimes it takes a little s*** disturbance (with orange skin and a dead rodent for hair) to unite the people that really matter, us.” This quote comes from another college student, Mikenna Martin, who studied at California Polytechnic State University. Although Mikenna’s remarks are somewhat biased, she is emphasizing the fact that this is not the end of the United States and if nothing positive can be seen from the outcome, at least there are those who will stick together over a mutual interest.
Many anti-Trump supporters are already looking forward to the 2020 election, hoping that a stronger candidate will rise to power. It is unfortunate to see a nation this divided, many worry about friends and family and how they will be treated with Trump as their president. Social media continues to be the source of many peoples’ opinions and outcries, given that it is only the preceding day of the election. With time, tensions will begin to lower and we can see things from a whole new perspective.