A Letter for the Aftermath
Dear Trump Supporters,
I'm writing to you today in an effort to increase communication between our camps. If there's anything this election has taught me, it's the fact that there is an entire part of America who feel as if their voices have been ignored, and I just want to say we hear you. Democracy has worked the way it is intended to and your unhappiness speaks volumes. Your concerns about your current way of life, your future, your children's futures are valid in every way. Your distrust of and disenchantment with the current governing body is legitimate. And I understand that in your mind, a vote for Trump was a vote for the people. A vote against the status quo. A vote against the establishment and the way of life that is snuffing out your voices.
I'm a libertarian living in a very liberal place. There are times when I too look at the people living their urban lives and think how ridiculous and meaningless all of their problems are. I can't pretend to really understand what you're going through either, but I want to make it clear that you're obviously justified in feeling marginalized and ignored. But in the same way that I am trying to be open minded to your position in this election, I would like you to try and be open minded to mine.
In no way do I think all Trump supporters are racist, misogynistic, uneducated, hateful people. In the 47% of the population that voted for Trump, a minority probably are. And to those people I say, that this letter isn't for you because I have no hope of reaching you in any meaningful way. No, this letter is for everyone else. The moms, dads, siblings, neighbors, and coworkers who are reasonable and loving and capable of hearing me out.
I want to say that I understand your decision, but I need you to understand why people like me are so appalled by it. In our world view, a vote for Trump is a vote that legitimizes the racist, misogynistic, hateful words that he has spouted throughout his campaign. Your support for Trump has, probably very unintentionally, indicated to his more extremist supporters that their behavior is condoned by society because if the president elect can say and do the things he does and get away with it, they should be able to as well. You chose to vote for yourselves and your families, and while that is a respectable choice you have the right to make, realize that this vote also endangers a portion of the population you probably don't identify with. That in choosing to vote for yourselves, you may have voted against America.
But it doesn't have to be that way. I understand the appeal to look inward instead of outward. This policy change has been sweeping the world. Just look at the Brexit vote across the pond. The US is not the first country that goes this way nor will we be the last. But before we close our doors to the outside, please remember that this country was founded by immigrants, for immigrants. Every single one of us probably has an ancestor that came here from another country (though I suppose if you're Native American you may be able to argue this point). They came here seeking a better life, a brighter future, for themselves and for those that come after them. To forget who they used to be and where they came from because in this land of freedom that doesn't matter. To start anew, and to make their dreams come true. That is what America is. That is what America stands for. It is an amazing, yet imperfect country that is full of potential. And if we shut out everyone who is different from us, we fail our founding fathers and we fail this country. Study after study has shown that diversity in the workplace increases innovation and product quality. If we think of America as one big workplace, it could be argued that diversity in this country is a key to its success.
So I just want to say that I get it. You're unhappy with your current situation and you're scared electing an establishment candidate will only make it worse. But I urge you, I beg you to separate the awful rhetoric the side you supported has spouted over this past year from the representation of hope and change he can be. Don't let those who are different from you have their voices muffled the way you felt yours was. Don't stand by while the minority of Trump supporters insults the other half of this country. Show them that what you hoped to accomplish from this election was change, not to condone hate, in actions or in words. Speak up. Be heard. Stand up for your fellow Americans whether they look like you or not, because only when all of our voices cry out in unison can we really achieve change. And if you don't, if you sit by silently and say that this isn't your problem because these are not your people, then it will never get better. Then your vote does become a vote against this country, and instead of making America great again, we will all have made it deplorable instead.
And although you may hate the British dude on HBO who loves to comment on American politics, I think it's important to remember at least one thing he said,
I'm writing to you today in an effort to increase communication between our camps. If there's anything this election has taught me, it's the fact that there is an entire part of America who feel as if their voices have been ignored, and I just want to say we hear you. Democracy has worked the way it is intended to and your unhappiness speaks volumes. Your concerns about your current way of life, your future, your children's futures are valid in every way. Your distrust of and disenchantment with the current governing body is legitimate. And I understand that in your mind, a vote for Trump was a vote for the people. A vote against the status quo. A vote against the establishment and the way of life that is snuffing out your voices.
I'm a libertarian living in a very liberal place. There are times when I too look at the people living their urban lives and think how ridiculous and meaningless all of their problems are. I can't pretend to really understand what you're going through either, but I want to make it clear that you're obviously justified in feeling marginalized and ignored. But in the same way that I am trying to be open minded to your position in this election, I would like you to try and be open minded to mine.
In no way do I think all Trump supporters are racist, misogynistic, uneducated, hateful people. In the 47% of the population that voted for Trump, a minority probably are. And to those people I say, that this letter isn't for you because I have no hope of reaching you in any meaningful way. No, this letter is for everyone else. The moms, dads, siblings, neighbors, and coworkers who are reasonable and loving and capable of hearing me out.
I want to say that I understand your decision, but I need you to understand why people like me are so appalled by it. In our world view, a vote for Trump is a vote that legitimizes the racist, misogynistic, hateful words that he has spouted throughout his campaign. Your support for Trump has, probably very unintentionally, indicated to his more extremist supporters that their behavior is condoned by society because if the president elect can say and do the things he does and get away with it, they should be able to as well. You chose to vote for yourselves and your families, and while that is a respectable choice you have the right to make, realize that this vote also endangers a portion of the population you probably don't identify with. That in choosing to vote for yourselves, you may have voted against America.
But it doesn't have to be that way. I understand the appeal to look inward instead of outward. This policy change has been sweeping the world. Just look at the Brexit vote across the pond. The US is not the first country that goes this way nor will we be the last. But before we close our doors to the outside, please remember that this country was founded by immigrants, for immigrants. Every single one of us probably has an ancestor that came here from another country (though I suppose if you're Native American you may be able to argue this point). They came here seeking a better life, a brighter future, for themselves and for those that come after them. To forget who they used to be and where they came from because in this land of freedom that doesn't matter. To start anew, and to make their dreams come true. That is what America is. That is what America stands for. It is an amazing, yet imperfect country that is full of potential. And if we shut out everyone who is different from us, we fail our founding fathers and we fail this country. Study after study has shown that diversity in the workplace increases innovation and product quality. If we think of America as one big workplace, it could be argued that diversity in this country is a key to its success.
So I just want to say that I get it. You're unhappy with your current situation and you're scared electing an establishment candidate will only make it worse. But I urge you, I beg you to separate the awful rhetoric the side you supported has spouted over this past year from the representation of hope and change he can be. Don't let those who are different from you have their voices muffled the way you felt yours was. Don't stand by while the minority of Trump supporters insults the other half of this country. Show them that what you hoped to accomplish from this election was change, not to condone hate, in actions or in words. Speak up. Be heard. Stand up for your fellow Americans whether they look like you or not, because only when all of our voices cry out in unison can we really achieve change. And if you don't, if you sit by silently and say that this isn't your problem because these are not your people, then it will never get better. Then your vote does become a vote against this country, and instead of making America great again, we will all have made it deplorable instead.
And although you may hate the British dude on HBO who loves to comment on American politics, I think it's important to remember at least one thing he said,
"You might think, that is not going to happen to us. We’re not going to listen to some ridiculously haired buffoon, peddling lies and nativism in the hopes of turning a protest vote into power. Let Britain tell you: It can happen, and when it does, there are no fucking do-overs."
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