My Post Election Letter to Trump

Nov 10, 2016

Dear Donald Trump, 

Congratulations! You did the thing. I honestly didn't think that you could. But you did and here we are. I've spent the last 24+ hours trying to wrap my mind around what this means. I have talked to devastated friends, tried my best not to engage in the online rants (I failed some) and cried in my shower.

In the two presidential elections I've had the privilege to vote I've been on the winning side. When I was in high school in 2000 I was on the losing side but I hadn't been able to vote so I wasn't really sure what it would feel like. I and many other Americans have gone through a roller coaster of emotions since the announcement early yesterday morning.

The hardest one to cope with and comprehend is fear. I fear for my students. I fear for my friends who are LGBTQ. I fear for my friends who have a different color of skin than me. I fear for women rights. We live in America. We are not used to fear.

You used fear and anger to start a movement that was successful. People are angry about jobs. People are angry about Obamacare. People are angry about immigration. I understand. I am angry too. I am angry because people I care deeply about are afraid. People I haven’t even met are being attacked because they are different and they feel they have the right to because they voted for you. Children are being told to sit in the back of the bus because of their skin again. Muslim Americans are being told they will be hung by their hijabs. Mexican American children in kindergarten are being told they will be sent to a new school next year.

That is not my America. I believe America is great now. I agree it could be greater. You created those events. In some way you made it okay for them to say those things louder and with more confidence. I know not everyone who voted for you feels that way. I voted against you and I do not feel the need to set a piñata of your head on fire.

And I hear you saying nothing to your followers to stop this fear and hatred from continuing. I watched your speech you were calm, you were collected and I felt an apprehensive optimism that you might actually unite us.

So do it. Tell people to stop the hate. Stop the hate yourself. I am trying. It is hard when so many emotions are running high. Unite us with grace and truly consider the rights of all people- especially the ones so different from you. We are watching.

Like it or not you are now the father figure of our country. Stop being the biggest bully on the playground. Think before you speak and be a good example for my sons and all children. You’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. Know all of us are rooting for you to do the right thing but aren’t going to swallow the pill if you don’t.

Don’t prove our fears correct.

Sincerely,
Mallory Nonnemaker