We the People

Posted by Kim Jones in Election 2016

On Nov. 8 2016, Donald J. Trump was elected into office. In the wake of the election, Jackalope Magazine sought out opinions of students with diverse backgrounds and beliefs to express their thoughts and fears, which ranged from worried about Planned Parenthood to terrified for their lives. It’s no secret Trump has insulted every race, religion, gender and sexuality other than his own. He has called all Mexicans rapists and drug dealers; he has called multiple women offensive names like “dog” and “bimbo”; he has spoke of instating an anti-Muslim ban that prevents Muslims from living in or visiting America and the list goes on. We, as human beings, can recognize this behavior as offensive and wrong.

“I think any minority should seek allies that are white, cisgendered, heterosexuals because we’re going to need them to hide us.” —Lara White
Photo by Kim Jones

Lara White, a sophomore contemporary music major says, “Honestly, I’m terrified. As somebody who’s part of the LGBTQ+ community and as somebody who defies gender norms, I’m terrified for my rights. I’m ready to have a “Go-Bag” packed for when they start persecuting queers and what not. I’m mentally preparing to be a refugee.” White identifies as bi-gendered, a gender identity where the individual identifies as two genders, primarily male or female but can include non-binary identities. In an interview with The Washington Post, Trump recently expressed an interest in learning more about the transgender rights movement, while simultaneously vowing to rescind the Obama Administration’s efforts for protecting transgender students.

“We elected Hitler into office…Basically.” —Geneva Henri-Le Pierrot
Photo by Kim Jones

Geneva Henri-Le Pierrot, a junior creative writing major, was previously in denial but currently in shock.”I want to stay positive but the history of this country combined with the election leaves me feeling less than optimistic.” Henri-Le Pierrot is a African-American woman, searching for her voice in these times of blunt racism and sexism. In late February during an interview with CNN, when Trump was asked if he would condemn the KKK and other hate groups, he refused to directly answer the question. This arose when David Duke, leader of the KKK in the ’70s, endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign. Later that same week, Trump appeared on The Today Show and claimed he had no problem disavowing the KKK and Duke.

“I don’t know if I’m going to get married, but I want the option.” —Kyra Murzyn
Photo by Kim Jones.

Kyra Murzyn, a junior technical theatre major, participated in the election for her first time with the intention of taking votes away from Trump. She felt voiceless as a 20-year-old college student and voted for Hillary Clinton, considering her the lesser of two evils. “I think all the steps we’ve taken towards equality and acceptance will be erased. The bigots in this country that have been hiding in the shadows will feel more empowered than ever,” she says. When asked how he felt about gay marriage on The O’Reilly Factor in 2011, Trump said he didn’t “feel good” about it [gay marriage] and provided no other reason as to why he was against it. Vice President Mike Pence has an extensive history in voting for anti-LBGTQ+ laws. He voted against the Employee Non-Discrimination Act which prevents businesses from discriminating against someone’s sexual orientation as well as voting for a law that serves businesses the right to refuse service to LGBTQ+ patrons.

“From a female standpoint, I’m terrified.” —Brantlee Reid
Photo by Kim Jones.

Brantlee Reid, a junior creative writing major,  feels enraged with the election results. “He plans to dismantle an organization that has been affordably helping women for 100 years, that is bullshit,” she says. Reid is anxious to see how her birth control options will be limited in the coming years. In September Trump released a letter to the Pro-Life Coalition, stating, “I am committed to defunding Planned Parenthood as long as they continue to perform abortions, and reallocating their funding to community health centers that provide comprehensive healthcare for women.” Reid worries about herself and her friends should they need immediate access to affordable contraception.

“Not only am I not even safe as a woman, I’m not safe as a Mexican woman.” —Yoana Medrano
Photo by Kim Jones

Yoana Medrano, a senior photography major, says she immediately blurted out profanities when the election came to an end. As a Mexican-American woman, who was born in Mexico and moved to America for a better life, she is livid with the morals of American citizens. “I’ve never felt directly attacked by my government like this. I identify as Mexican more than I do American, I don’t feel safe,” she says. In addition to Trump famously calling all Mexicans “drug dealers and rapists” he has vowed to build a wall to keep Mexicans out of America, stating, “Nobody builds walls better than me!” Medrano is currently working on her senior thesis focusing on Trump’s racism and how this has affected her and her family, she has titled it We the People.

Brantlee Reid and Yoana Medrano are staff members of Jackalope Magazine.