As a general rule, I don’t write about politics on the blog. No matter what my views may be and what arguments and debates I may have in real life or online, I keep all of that away from this space.
But the recent election results in the US have shaken me to the core. And though they have no direct bearing on me, there is no denying the wide-spread social impact of a Trump presidency.
I also think that the time is now ripe to have multiple conversations about righting wrongs – about inclusion and diversity, about the fact of a changing global order, changing race and cultural dynamics, and a shift in the old patriarchal systems and beliefs. And I believe this is a conversation that we need to have globally.
I had deliberately stayed away from a lot of the campaign trail and election debates. I knew what was happening, but I wasn’t plugged into it – it was too much I negativity that I didn’t need in my life.
But come Election Day, I got swept up into the current. I spent the day hitting the refresh button, watching in stunned disbelief as a man who fought the election campaign on a platform of racism, bigotry and outright sexism was voted in as the next President of the United States.
What this means for global development and climate change is something we will know only as time passes by {but I think the Paris accord may be dead, and that is unfortunate}. And what this means on a conscious level – on people actually backing the things he stands for – blatant sexism, unbridled racism, the highest level of misogyny – is deeply disturbing.
The social impact of the Trump Presidency is being felt already.
Across college campuses and neighborhoods, racist attacks have increased. The LGBTQ community is threatened, immigrants are being heckled, women are being harassed.
A friend of mine, a White American, who lives and works in New York City, was told on the subway “Your pussy belongs to Trump now.” Women have been harassed and heckled, the p word thrown around, jokes made at their expense.
This is the world we are waking up to in the 21st Century?
What happened to the call of feminism, to the people who believe in equality and companionship and brotherhood? What happened to the people who believe in inclusive growth and development and the dignity of human life? Their voices were too few and muzzled. Their dreams lie shattered on the floor, trampled beneath the heels of the baying hoards who want to make American Great Again – a vision that includes only White Americans and puts women firmly back in the kitchen and under the rule of men.
I think the fight for equal rights will need to be louder and fought harder now, that this is the time for the true test. Those of us who believe strongly in equality, in movements like Black Lives Matter, in the rights of the LGBTQ community, in human rights and refugee rehabilitation, in upholding the basic right to dignity of human lives, have to stand up and fight. We need to add our voices wherever we can, however we can, through all the platforms that are available to us. The battle may be long and hard, but I do believe we can tip the scales back into balance.
Do you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and views in the comments.
Linking up with MicroBlog Mondays.
The fight for equality begins with bringing about an awareness. And this is achieved through mediums – digital print or others. The more number of voices the stronger we get. Until then, yes, it may seem to be a long wait.
Oh I so agree! Awareness needs to be built from the ground up. And more people need to stand up and talk about equality of inclusion, instead of keeping quiet to maintain some sort of status-quo or be non-confrontational.
It is quite a difficult time the world over, and am certain we shall all feel the impact of this election on our lives one way or the other. There is resentment, confusion and frustration everywhere where people feel disturbed by the course of events. Lik everyone else, I too felt very disturbed with how things were /are still going. IN India, the impact of the monetization changes are only getting worse. It is hard staying positive at such times, no matter how apolitical I’d like to be. I AM affected by the changes. We ought to protest and put up a fight where it really matters. At the same time, we must also accept the change in the air air see the reasons behind the change.
Sadly I do believe the impact on the world will be far-reaching. Trump is a climate change denier, so there are chances that he will not accept the Paris Accord and try to wriggle out of the deal. The impact of that would be dramatic and drastic for the entire planet. He has already said he will throw out or jail 3 million illegal immigrants. Hate crimes are rising. Crimes against women are rising. It’s disturbing.
It was unbelievable and shocking to digest the outcome of the elections. Who knew that a man with such biased views would actually win. This is a bitter reality and only proves how much hatred and prejudice lurks in the hearts of the common people too or else why would they vote him as their leader. But still I want to believe that there is hope, that there are people who will stand against wrongs, against discrimination and will not let one wrong wipe out the goodness of this world. I have hopes, I still do.
I do see hope – Trump lost the popular vote, which means a larger number of Americans actually disagree with his policies. Hopefully there will be dialogue and an exchange of ideas between those who believe in an equal and just society and those who believe in protectionist policies. Hopefully, this is a purging of old modes of belief, that are now out in the open and can be assessed and addressed head on. Hope…I have that too!
The world is shocked. I’ve heard my friends asking over and over: What’s wrong with the people? There are also those who believe that now that he’s President, he will behave himself and do the right thing.
Life is so unpredictable.
Let’s hope he does. Some of his more radical rhetoric may be just that, but it’s brought a deep divide and a dark underbelly out in the open. It’s sad, very sad.
Feminism to our world is fight for equality Jini! When it comes to supremacy men and the so called feminists get scared at the power a woman may eventually get at her disposal. Oh how scared they are!
It was so depressing to see a man with such hatred towards fellow human beings come to power. I still hope this is a dream and we get up to a fresh election day.
Yes, it was a nightmare, but one from which there is escape – at least for the next 4 years…
I’ve always followed the American election process closely. I tried to keep away this year, but it was so hard not to get engrossed. It felt so personal too, that a man who is so abusive can reach the highest office in a land that prides itself on justice and democracy. I just had to join the Pantsuit Nation Facebook group, even though I’m not American. Glad to see that these women are not giving up.
I’m glad that people aren’t giving up the fight, and that the protests against him assuming the role of President continue on the streets of America and beyond.
I read how many people did not vote and that Trump won by a small margin. Let’s see what the authorities have to do about these incidents. We can only hope that things get better and he shows up to be a better Prez than the candidate he projected himself to be. You post is very well thought out and makes me feel sad about the state of affairs.
I think one silver lining of sorts is that he lost the popular vote. I do hope that he turns out to be a better President than he was a candidate, but I have my doubts.
I do have hope when I see the backlash, BUT I wish everyone had voted (and had been able to vote) so we wouldn’t be in this situation. I am terrified.
I heard that some counties or areas were not allowed to vote and I found that surprising – that people are stopped from casting their ballot in the US as well. I can only imagine the terror you’re going through…these are trying times…
I hope things will be normal soon. I wish the Trump’s selection don’t impact feminism and LGBT community and racism. Since US is a major country which influnces other countries in the world, its not a good sign of course
Sadly those are all the things he rallied against. Until he takes office, the uncertainty will remain…
Couldn’t agree more with you! I am currently in the US and am amazed at the dearth of leadership in a country that is so highly developed. It baffles me how such a society could have archaic and regressive beliefs in this day and age
Yes, that is something that was so evident too. People loved Bernie Sanders, but were unwilling to back Hilary. Quite sad, actually.
It’s all been so overwhelming, I just can’t listen to the news as much anymore. Each suggestion of a cabinet pick is more salacious than the one before. That his campaign manager can even suggest that we shouldn’t just look at Steve Bannon as a hatemonger who writes racist and antisemitic things because he went to Harvard 40 years ago is nauseating. I mentioned this in a conversation yesterday. Leonard Cohen who wrote Hallelujah died right before the election. This to me isn’t a coincidence. As the U.S. and other parts of the world rage in hatred, those who live by their deep spiritual connections will rise up. There is certainly hate. There is always hope.
Yes, there has to be hope. Now more than ever we need to rise up and make our voices heard; stand up for those who are being targeted; work to bridge hearts and bring more light. The fight has begun in earnest – I hope in the next four years we can purge the hate and the fear of the “other”.
It was tough to stay away from the election results and aftermaths no matter how much I wanted. You have raised valid points and I am little worried over the fact that if this is the reflection over whats going to come in future then we are in very very bad shape.
Yes, it is quite scary Anindya. I can only hope he will not go through with some of his more controversial campaign promises. But since Republicans also have a majority in the house and Senate, who knows how things will unfold.
Honestly the election results just prove, anything goes! What kind of future awaits the world is definitely a worrying question. The social impact will probably the most anticipated, given Trump’s blasphemous and insensitive attitude. Till the action begins, its a tense waiting game world over.
That’s true Kala. In addition, there is fear over climate change and the way forward for the Paris Agreement. Trump doesn’t believe in climate change, you see. He thinks it’s all a big hoax. 🙁
I tried to stay away from politics on my blog, too, but then I got involved with a group of writers who hoped that by using our platforms to support Hillary and to speak out against Trump, we could do some good. I’m terrified about what is going to happen to this country with Trump in power. Hopefully everyone who is so shocked and disappointed with the election results will actively work on charting a new course.
I hope so too! I think now there will be more need to write and build awareness, but with kindness and without the name calling that has been witnessed in the last few days…Hope and pray and try to effect change – that’s all that we can do.