The 2016 election’s results were hard for many people to accept, including myself. Nov. 9 was one of the most depressing days in my life. I felt as if I was living a nightmare, and to be completely honest, I still feel this way.
I am fearful for those who Donald Trump has threatened throughout his campaign. As Angela Davis said in a talk at The University of Chicago, the election was a reminder that the ideologies of racism, islamophobia, anti-Semitism, heteropatriarchy and xenophobia were greatly underestimated.
After taking time off from social media and politics to focus on self-care, I have come to realize that there is still a lot that I can do to block the progression and normalization of Trump ideology in his new administration. I have also realized that I haven’t done enough in my life to speak up against the injustices in the world.
People have been fighting for their rights for decades. During my time away from social media, I reflected on what I have done to help fight against injustice in this country and abroad.
As some of you may know, I tend to post and tweet many articles regarding movements and other helpful sources to educate people on what’s occurring in today’s world.
But that is insufficient. My contribution has fallen short. While many of us participate in some capacity by attending protests on campus or signing petitions, we can be doing more.
I validate my own inaction by telling myself, “I am a college student,” “I can’t do much right now,” “I need to focus on my grades,” but these excuses are compromised when I reflect on students’ influences on the Civil Rights Movements.
Representative John Lewis was a college student during the Civil Rights Movement, but that didn’t stop him — he still played a vital role in organizing.
For those who were startled by the election of Trump, welcome. Now is not the time to claim that one individual is more “woke” than the other but rather work together towards shared social justice goals.
We must donate to organizations that are fighting against systems of oppression, we must hold all elected officials accountable, further educating ourselves on the forms of oppression and so much more.
Sharing enlightening articles on social media is important, but it is not enough.
Although we all live in rural Ohio and not New York City or Washington, DC, we can still take part in change; we can still bridge the apparent gaps within our own Wooster community. Several organizations on campus hold events; participate in phonathons, more protests, volunteer, do all that you can do and push yourself to do even more.
Monét Davis, a Contributing Writer for the Voice, can be reached for comment at MDavis19@wooster.edu.