It happened, the least expected outcome of 2016. After an election result that took many by surprise, Donald Trump was elected as the next President of the United States.
All throughout the United States of America, there has been violent backlash both from those who were overjoyed by his victory and those who now fear for what is to come; and it has become all too clear that this recent election has created divided country. Other political leaders have congratulated the President-elect while also expressing concern for the future of America.
Hate-related crimes have rapidly increased throughout the United States ever since it was announced that Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton. Threats and assaults towards women, members of the LGBTQA+ community, people of colour and Muslims have increased by 6 percent since last year. Hate messages have been sent to people and spray-painted all over the country. Messages like “Make America white again” and “Black lives doesn’t matter and neither does your vote” are terrifying the lives of many. These messages can be found on streets, places of business and even schools.
Almost immediately after Donald Trump’s win was announced protests broke out all over the country. Protestors staged sit-ins in government offices and many high schools and universities experienced walkouts. Slogans such as “Love Trumps Hate”, and “Not My President”, have been seen sprawled across countless placards. Some of these protests have even become dangerous. Amidst a peaceful protest in Oregon, an unknown aggressor shot an activist. It seems as though innumerable amounts of citizens are not very pleased with the election outcome.
Americans aren’t the only ones angered by Donald Trump’s victory. Foreign politicians didn’t seem too ecstatic either. Vice Chancellor of Germany, Sigmar Gabriel, called Trump's victory a "rollback to the old, bad times."
As world leaders tried to keep their messages objective, many MP’s very openly expressed their opinions on the matter. British MP Carol Monaghan tweeted “Xenophobic, racist, sectarian and sexist rhetoric has just been legitimized. We should all be very afraid.”
No one expected it to happen, but it did. While many citizens and political figures weren’t very jubilant about it and hatred has materialized from it, all we can do is hope for the best. As a nation, America decided that they wanted Donald Trump and now all we can do is have faith that he will make the most beneficial decisions for his country and for the world.
UPDATE: As of February 7th, 2017, Trump's temporary travel ban on Muslims is being debated in the Court of Appeal