Today, I woke up to my phone flooded with election results. Immediately, I called my mom. We had the same conversation we had eight years ago. History is repeating itself.
Today is a sad day for everyone who doesn’t identify as a straight, cis, white male. What I received as a “pick me up” as I got ready for school was that the stock market was “popping off”.
Today, we live in a country whose people value cheaper gas over the threat of women’s rights. What kind of example are we setting for our youth? As a country, we’re proving that our morals can be easily bought. With everything that was at stake this election, more than ever; we’re at risk of having fewer rights than our mothers.
Today is a scary day for women, the middle class, people of color, and the environment. Fortunately, I live in a blue town, in a blue state so my life likely won’t be affected greatly by this election result. I am a part of the lucky population who won’t have to live in fear of a premature pregnancy. Some are not as lucky.
Today, my heart goes out to the women who live in the 13 states where abortion is banned. My heart goes out to the women in Arizona and Florida whose limited rights are under attack.
Today, I’ve exchanged knowing glances with all my friends, hugs, words of encouragement, and our disappointment.
Today, a big “X” has been written on most of the states I one day hoped to live in. I have decided to stay in-state for college, sadly out of fear.
Today, Trump is the 47th president of the United States. And as a woman of color, I’m scared for the future of my country.
Etenesh ~ Nov 11, 2024 at 3:39 pm
A truly shocking collective decision.. to allow rewriting a constitution that will violate women’s rights , environmental polices & international relations; no one will come out these matters unaffected.
Etenesh ~ Nov 11, 2024 at 3:29 pm
To rewrite our constitution, which has & will violates women’s rights, environmental polices & international polices. No one will come out of these matters unaffected. I’m shocked by the collective decision to say the least.
Maricruz ~ Nov 7, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Well said my girl, God help us all that are diferente
Neil Golden ~ Nov 7, 2024 at 1:25 pm
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. As a cis, white male, I too am frightened for this country and the ominous direction we’ve taken. I hope it’s not too late, but I count on young people like you to lead us out of the darkness. Don’t take your eyes off the next president – not for one second. Project 2025, largely seen as a blueprint for his agenda, actually contains a national abortion ban that would impact Colorado. Women and men all over this country desperately need to become educated about the FACTS of abortion and reproductive health care. There is so much misinformation floating around, but if people truly understood the risks women face just being pregnant in an abortion-banned state, their minds would be changed.
Carry on in power!
Emebet ~ Nov 6, 2024 at 10:05 pm
So well expressed how a lot of people feel. Well put Gia!
Areysi Galvan ~ Nov 6, 2024 at 8:40 pm
On my 10th birthday back in 2016, Donald J Trump was elected as president of the United States for the first time. I was only a kid, but that night changed me in a way I didn’t yet understand all I knew is that I was scared. At 10 years old I worried for my family. It felt as though there was a shift in the world, people who looked like me suddenly became the targets. The weight of Donald Trumps words were laced with racism and hate for people like me and my family and we are still seeing the reproductions off all of that hate now. That night I cried, the fear is a memory that will never wash away. Now, eight years later I am turning 18 this Friday, here I am again watching as Donald Trump wins the presidency for the second time. I know what a second Trump term truly means for families like mine. And again I feel that same dread an aching fear for my parents but also for myself. i feel the weight of knowing that women and minorities are at risk. For what? Its hard to grasp how someone who seems so deeply unkind could have such a powerful hold on many. I know exactly how words can turn into actions and how the hostility from our own president can seep into our lives, affecting peoples dignity, safety as well as their worth. I will have a hard time understanding how so much of our country can rally behind someone who makes people like me feel afraid to exist. in the midst of this there was hope, there was a reminder that a future could look different, there was someone who understood our experience. She embodied a dream that we too could belong. That feeling of finally being seen, respected and heard was healing . But even with all that hope I sensed another Donald Trump term – that didn’t soften the fear. The quite disappointment i felt throughout the race knowing that our country wasn’t ready to step in a new direction is still draining. we had the chance to choose something different, a new way forward for all of us but, our choice was just a repetition of the past – a familiar path that offers comfort for some, but left others feeling overlooked. we let this chance slip by. we stood still and changed nothing. Gia thank you for speaking up about this. It takes courage to voice things that matter and i love you for doing so.
Judith Ritschard ~ Nov 6, 2024 at 4:52 pm
Well said, and after you’re done feeling all the emotions from grief to anger then put that fear into action! Stay tuned into politics and remember just because you’re young and a POC doesn’t mean your voice doesn’t matter, it really matters. Young people can make a difference and we need people from all walks of life to step forward.
David ~ Nov 6, 2024 at 4:27 pm
You should stay in state for college. It is cheaper