Electing a President of a country isn’t just an act of participatory democracy.
The President or Prime Minister is also reflective of the kind of country envisioned by voters. After electing Donald Trump as President, America woke up to a xenophobic, racist and misogynist morning with reports of elementary school students chanting “Build a wall!” and violence against Muslims, African-Americans and women.
On day one after Trump’s win, it looked as if the result of the US Presidential election legitimised racist hatred, institutionalised misogyny and Islamophobia.
‘Your Time’s Up, Girlie’: Multiple Incidents of Snatching Hijab
An 18-year-old woman Louisiana college student was assaulted and robbed of her wallet and Muslim headscarf by two men, one of whom was wearing a white "Trump" shirt, according to authorities.
And she wasn’t alone.
Similar incidents of violence against Muslim women were reported across the country. In almost all instances, the attacker either was a declared Trump supporter or used his presidency as a justification for the violence.
“Grab Her by the P***y!” Except On a Subway Station This Time
In October, The Washington Post released a video where while in conversation with Billy Bush in 2005, Donald Trump said:
“When I see a beautiful woman, I automatically start kissing her, I don’t even ask. When you’re a celebrity, they let you do whatever you want. I can just grab them by the p***y.”
He later dismissed the comments as ‘locker-room talk.’ After the release of the tape numerous women came out alleging Trump of sexual assault. But he was still declared President-elect on 8 November, wasn’t he?
“Time to Get out of the Country, Apu!”
While Donald Trump has been vocal about his thoughts on Latinos (remember, “bad hombres?”), he has had a smooth relationship with Indian-Americans. In fact, Donald Trump's son Eric participated in a traditional 'aarti' at a Hindu temple in Florida to woo Indian-Americans too. However, looks like it hasn’t made Indian-Americans immune to verbal racial abuse.
“Make America White Again” When the President is Endorsed by Ku Klux Klan
Just a week or so before elections, a Ku Klux Klan newspaper declared support for Donald Trump's campaign.
The Crusader, one of the white supremacist group's most prominent publications, published a lengthy endorsement and defence of Trump's message and said America became great because it was a white, Christian republic.
“Hey Nigger, Pick That Up!”
Fifth-Graders Chant “Build the Wall”
Building a wall along Mexico’s borDer has been the cornerstone of Donald Trump’s anti-immigration rhetoric. His plans to build a wall (and get Mexico to pay for it) is a campaign pledge to prevent immigrants from entering the United States illegally.
A day after he got elected as President, there were numerous reports from across states in United States of children in schools chanting “build a wall!”.
In one horrifying incident, a mother struggled as her child was beaten up by alleged Trump supporters who told him “I can’t wait till Trump deports you.”
“Get Out Chink!” Asian-Americans Face Trump Backlash
All these incidents were just reported on the first day after Donald Trump was elected President of the United States, in a shocking upset. At the end of a divisive and vitriolic campaign, the results have generated fear and anxiety in Americans; mostly people of colour.
As the country grapples with the polarisation, social divisions and hate in the wake of Trump’s election, the whole world is watching.
Your move, America.
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