2016 Democratic Party Presidential Nominee Hillary Clinton (left) speaks at a campaign rally in Tempe, Arizona on Nov. 2, 2016, and United States Vice President Kamala Harris (right) speaker at the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention in San Francisco, California on June 2, 2019. For Managing Editor Janie Ripps, Harris’ defeat to former President Donald Trump is the beginning of dangerous history being repeated. “When the end of Trump’s first term came to an end, I had hoped that our nation had made a vow to cut ties with this unfit and inappropriate representative. However, history has repeated itself,” Ripps wrote. Photos courtesy of Gage Skidmore, graphic by Jane Ripps
Following the re-election of former United States President Donald Trump, Managing Editor Janie Ripps struggles to come to terms with the implications of the result.
On Nov. 9, 2016, I woke up for another day of fourth grade. After watching the United States presidential election the night before, I was jittery with anticipation for the results. For the first time in history, a female candidate was the representative for a major political party, and she was expected to win.
According to the Pew Research Center, Hillary Clinton, the former U.S. Secretary of State and U.S. Senator from New York, was estimated to have anywhere from a 70% to 99% chance of winning depending on the poll.
So, naturally, I expected to be greeted with confirmation of Clinton as the next president of the U.S. alongside my breakfast. However, I was greeted with the opposite: Donald Trump, the notorious businessman, television personality and WWE Hall of famer would be the 45th president of the U.S.
Clinton, who ran proudly as a woman with all of the qualifications, was outvoted for Trump – the man who ran his company into bankruptcy six times, had sexual assault allegations against him and had no real experience in public office before.
At the time, I didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. Eight years later, however, I feel just like my 10-year-old self reliving this reality – only this time I know how dangerous the outcome is.
On Nov. 6, it was confirmed by the Associated Press that the 34-count convicted felon Donald Trump had beaten Vice President Kamala Harris and will fulfill his second term as the 47th president of the U.S. Yet again, I have watched the same misogynistic, felon-committing, egotistical man beat a qualified woman to hold the country’s highest office.
Am I disappointed? Completely. Am I surprised? I wish I could say yes.
Our nation continues to pick a man who represents everything we claim we don’t stand for: misogyny, racism and arrogance. Yet, he has still become the face of our nation. Again.
As in 2016, I find myself grieving what America wouldn’t – and still refuses – to have: a woman leading our so-called progressive nation.
United States Vice President Kamala Harris formally conceded from the 2024 presidential election in Washington D.C. on Nov. 6. Against all efforts from Harris and team, former President Donald Trump will return to the Oval Office to serve his second term. “Our nation continues to pick a man that represents everything we claim we don’t stand for: misogyny, racism, arrogance. Regardless, he has still become the face of our nation. Again,” Managing Editor Janie Ripps wrote. Video fair use of The Guardian
But, above all of these feelings of sadness and disbelief, I’m scared.
As a woman in Georgia, I’m scared for my rights. Trump’s proposed plan regarding abortion care is to leave access up to states. This could result in banning abortion in various states, restricting women from traveling across state lines to receive one – regardless of life-threatening complications – and even make it harder to access contraceptives.
As a student, I’m scared for the future of our education system. If Project 2025 is instated by Trump’s conservative allies, many of whom worked under his first administration, then Title I would be eliminated from high-poverty schools and districts like the Clarke County School District. The Department of Education will also be dismantled.
As an ally, I am scared for the LGBTQ+ community. I am scared for the rise of taxes for the middle and lower class. Scared for our environment and the threats of climate change that Trump time and time again refuses to address.
I’m scared for it all.
Yet again, I have watched the same misogynistic, felon-committing, egotistical man beat a qualified woman to hold the country’s highest office.
As I look ahead into these hazy and unclear four years our nation has ahead of us, I, like the millions of other youth, women, minorities and non-Trump voters across the nation, am unable to find comfort in the future.
When the end of Trump’s first term came to an end, I had hoped that our nation had made a vow to cut ties with this unfit and inappropriate representative. However, history has repeated itself.
Now, 18-years-old, all I can think about is my 10-year-old self, praying and waiting for a future that wasn’t so set on restricting access to healthcare, normalizing the mistreatment of women and choosing a flawed man over the most qualified of women.
I’m still waiting.
