I was born into a fairly liberal family. Our house is solar paneled, our cars electric and our radios fixed to NPR. In second grade, I was the only student in my class with parents voting for Obama. The attacks and ostracism I got from classmates, at a time when we could not even define politics, would become familiar.
Despite my upbringing, I spent kindergarten through graduation in a conservative school. My mom, the high school biology teacher, was in a constant battle to teach evolution and sex (both of which are required by the Colorado Education Department).
I got into argument after argument with my peers and every one left me a little more diminished. I could tell that regardless of the many facts I brought to the table, I would always be the overly emotional “snowflake” and no one would leave any different.
By the time President Joe Biden was elected, any fire I had left was extinguished. I was naively convinced that former President Donald Trump’s loss would be permanent. That the stain could be scrubbed out and as a nation, we could sweep up the dirt he dragged in.
While I followed Trump’s campaign over the last four years, I thought that Jan. 6, the overturning of Roe v. Wade and the threat of a convicted felon gaining ultimate power compiled with an endless tirade of hateful rhetoric would shift the way the general American sees him.
Yet this election confirmed what I was afraid of: with enough fear, misinformation and money, anything is possible. As the 45th and soon-to-be 47th President said, “When you’re a star, they let you do it.”
As disappointed as I am with the results of this election, there is hope. Already, Kamala Harris has handled her presidential loss with more character and grace than Trump has in the last four years.
In her concession speech, Harris brought a message of optimism. She acknowledged that while she lost the election, “the light of America’s promise will always burn bright.” In comparison, when Trump lost, his speech was fueled with hate, continually hammering a point that he has yet to drop, that “they’re trying to steal an election.”
I have been trying to frame my mindset for the future. I remember the DBQs (document-based questions) I wrote in high school history and imagine what future students will be asked in 40 years.
I cannot imagine that fraud, insurrection and conspiracies will cast Trump and his followers favorably.
As Trump peddles hateful rhetoric, the most radical thing you can be is kind.
Throughout his second term, Trump will be given a more direct spotlight and it is nearly guaranteed he will slip up, or say something offensive just to follow it up with something somehow more jaw-dropping. These comments will be remembered, as will the way we react.
As he stokes the flames higher, they may just burn him.
Harris was given a little over 100 days to organize her campaign while Trump has been building momentum for four years. While the loss is devastating, I am hopeful that given sufficient planning, the next election can be different.
I am saddened by the results, but I know I am not the only one. There is companionship in disappointment. I have comfort in the fact that I am no longer the second grader who felt embarrassed by his parents’ support of Obama, but the college sophomore who can admit loss but get back up.
While he may hold control for the next four years, that is all it is: four years. We have all the time after.
