One day, in the not-so-distant future, the 2016 presidential election will likely be viewed by younger generations as a dark chapter in our history. I have faith that the years to come will usher in a more inclusive, diverse, and enlightened America. Mr. Trump’s candidacy, in my view, will not be remembered fondly; instead, it will serve as an unfortunate stain on the fabric of modern democracy.
I can envision our children years from now, grappling with the legacy of Trump’s campaign, and asking us—those who lived through the 2016 election—what we experienced and, more importantly, what actions we took. Did we notice the prejudice when he questioned the birthplace of the sitting president? Did we stand up for people with disabilities when he mocked a reporter? Did we understand the historical significance when he suggested registering an entire religious group? Did we recognize sexual assault as a serious crime when he boasted about it? When allegations arose regarding a 13-year-old victim, did we dismiss them as far-fetched given his past behaviors?
When he disrespected veterans and POWs, did we demand respect for those who served? When he bullied women, did we let his comments slide? When he described Hispanics as criminals and rapists, did we challenge his words? When supported by white supremacist groups, did we investigate why that was? When women accused him of assault, did we pay attention beyond the fleeting news cycle? When former associates claimed he was dishonest in business, did we reconsider his reputation? When he attacked a fallen soldier’s Muslim family, did we catch the Islamophobia in his rhetoric? Did we uphold peaceful protest when violence erupted at his rallies?
Each time he attacked the media, did we recognize the threat to our First Amendment rights? When he embraced conspiracy theories and figures like Alex Jones, were we committed to uncovering the truth? When he advocated for war crimes, were we appalled? Did we show compassion for refugees, or did we dehumanize them? Were we alarmed by his casual talk of nuclear conflict? When he claimed the election was rigged before it even occurred, did we defend our democratic institutions? And when we witnessed his frequent lies, did we question how anyone could trust him?
I can see our children sitting on the edge of their seats, eager for answers, just as we once asked our own parents about tumultuous periods in history. They’ll want to know if we stood on the right side of history. I believe they will come to see Trump’s campaign for what it truly was—a mixture of lies, hate, and bigotry—and they will feel disheartened by the division it caused. They may even realize that some people they know supported him, and they’ll look at us with those piercing eyes and ask if we were among his supporters. When we assure them we were not, they’ll want to know what we did to oppose him.
What will our answer be? That’s the question future generations will pose. Many of his supporters found solace in his status as an outsider, but let’s be real—he’s never been an elected official and his political identity is as slippery as a wet bar of soap. I often wonder how he even fits within the Republican party, considering their values. This isn’t merely about politics; it’s about basic human decency.
So, when the day comes that we need to reflect on what we did to stop Trump, I want to confidently say that we came together as a nation and told him he was wrong. That America is already great, and after putting an end to his campaign, we celebrated the diversity, resilience, and kindness that truly define us. We refused to allow his bigotry to represent our values. Despite the embarrassment of his close encounter with the White House, we learned from the experience and vowed never to let it happen again. And we definitely showed up on election day.
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In summary, the future will hold us accountable for our actions during a trying time in history. It’s our responsibility to ensure that we can stand proud and say we did our part, uniting against hate and advocating for a better tomorrow.