The United States, once a self-appointed haven of freedom representing the American dream, only remain a shadow of their former self after an indignant and angry electoral campaign, where unforeseen lines were crossed and Donald Trump ultimately became the 45th president of the United States. It now seems that the inscription of the Statue of Liberty, “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” is no longer valid for those who are disabled, gay, female or simply unable to afford healthcare.
The votes of angry white men settled Trump’s hateful campaign into the Oval Office. A man whose unique characteristic appears to be his outright hate towards all who are unlike him. With every executive order issued by him, which restricts the rights of others, his followers seem to admire him even more. But for many Americans, life continues as usual, with little effect on their sense of well-being.
However, minorities and other marginalized groups in this country are facing dark times. Not only are or will they be confronted with the loss of some essential rights, such as anti-discrimination laws, legal access to abortion or the right to marry a partner of the same sex, but their individual safety and lives are at risk. Since the election, LGBTQ and anti-racist organizations are already reporting a rapid increase in hate crimes and an alarming number of individuals with suicidal thoughts.
Those reports will only be the beginning of an unimaginable period of hate and discrimination. The terrifying effect of populist campaigns can be observed in post-Brexit Britain. Since their national referendum, the UK faces massive violence against dissidents, with a frightening 57% increase in xenophobic attacks and 147% more assaults on LGBT individuals. It appears that common rules of coexisting were thrown overboard, together with their membership in the European Union.
So white supremacy won – should we concede defeat? Britain’s example shows the tremendous and devastating effect, which populist movements have on the social climate and the same effects can already be sensed in our cities. In times like these, it is not only our right but our duty to fight for the weakest members of our society to defend the core values of our democracy. The emergence countless protest movements can only be the beginning; we owe future generations the rise of an unimaginable civil rights movement to reclaim the forgotten values of this nation: freedom and equality.
Dear Americans, please stand up for those being harassed, listen to the unheard, protest in solidarity with those whose rights are taken away and always remember the ones who lost their lives to injustice. Let’s build a movement to make our country great again, for all Americans to live in peace and equality. You are the change in your community; together we are the change for our nation. Our love will Trump their hate!