An Opinion Piece Through the Eyes of a Liberal American3 min read

November 9th 2016, the day Donald J. Trump was elected to be the president of the United States. A day the world will never forget. I am currently studying abroad in London, since I’ve been here I’ve heard multiple comments about Americans, Trump supporters, and so fourth. Since the first political conversation I’ve had here, I’ve tried my best to ignore the condescending remarks and restore faith in the American people. Yes, it was a huge setback that Donald Trump was even a candidate, but surely America has woken up since the primaries and is going to vote against a racist, sexist, homophobic, islamophobic, hateful, cruel man. I can’t begin to express how upset I am that this is not the case. Donald Trump supporters seem to be the most hateful people I have ever encountered. As I read their celebratory, yet problematic tweets, Facebook posts, etc. I become more and more disgusted in the American people.
Being a first generation Pakistani-American, I have experienced racism hands on. I have been accused of being a terrorist since as long as I can remember. Literally in kindergarten I remember my 5 and 6-year-old peers telling me my father was a dangerous man, and I should leave the country, you know, “go back to where I came from.” Funny thing about that is, I was born in America. I was always confused, and saddened by this, which then made me resent being Pakistani. I was ashamed of who I was, and my roots. I knew other people believed my fathers religion to be dangerous. I was scared to tell anyone he was Muslim. One day my father asked me why I was ashamed of my family, and where we were from. That is exactly what I needed to hear. After that day I never denied being Pakistani.
Unfortunately, no matter how much light you intend to shed onto someone, they may not absorb it. Today, we see just how racist white America is. There are plenty of posts to prove it. Here are a few posts I read this morning after Donald Trump was announced as the 45th president of the United States:
“For those of you that said you were leaving this great country if Trump was elected, don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.. Oh. Please send me a post card telling me how wonderful life is living outside of the good old USA!!!! “Make America Great Again”… and speak English please…”
“You should be required to do 10 hours of community service a week if you are on welfare and no job. U would earn it and benefit ur community”
“Stay in London you damn liberal…U think trump will deport u if u come back ?”
“If u hate trump ur just a liberal loser who can’t handle the truth, that’s why this country soft… ALL ABOARD THE TRUMP TRAIN….CHOO CHOO”
With a racist, sexist, homophobic, islamophobic, hateful, cruel man as president, who will teach America how to come together? Who will remind American’s of their RIGHTS, who will fight for American’s being discriminated against? It’s now in the people’s hands to promote love, not hate.