I will admit that I voted for Donald Trump.
No, admit is not the correct word to use. Because to admit something implies shame, guilt and regret. I am a proud member of the group of people that Hillary Clinton referred to as a “basket of deplorables.” It sickens me how misrepresented Trump supporters are.
It is a shame how many people were afraid to openly support Donald Trump. They call us the “silent majority” for very good reason — because of the backlash that people can face for supporting Trump. I often wore my Trump hat around campus to remind my fellow students that nobody should feel shame in supporting a political candidate in our great democracy.
I voted against a candidate that calls me a deplorable, despite having served on Student Senate before, representing the interests of those who elected me. I voted against the biased political press, who called us uneducated, despite having achieved strong academic performance. I voted against a party who has discriminated against Asian-Americans through affirmative action, and who called blacks “superpredators.” These are some of the reasons why I voted against Hillary Clinton, but there are many more reasons why I voted for Trump.
Contrary to popular belief, Trump has shown a history of inclusion. Although I am by no means a fan of Trump’s lewd remarks, I find it ironic how many support rappers and entertainers who use far worse language than Trump ever has. If you look at his business history, Trump has been very inclusive. He employs a great amount of female executives, often paying them more than their male counterparts. Most notably, Trump employed a female campaign manager, who went down in history as the first to run a winning campaign. Trump picks the most qualified for the job, regardless of their ethnicity or gender, and that is exactly what a president has to do. In terms of LGBT rights, there has never been a better champion from the Republican party, as Trump openly waved the rainbow flag and demonstrated his support towards those with different sexual orientations and identities.
Another admirable trait about Trump is that he is truly a king of comebacks. Although some criticize Trump for having filed bankruptcy four times, he has had over 500 businesses. Considering how the vast majority of startups fail, his record is impressive. Trump rose above his losses and came out ahead. This perseverance is exactly what America needs. During his campaign, Trump was also once again able to overcome the odds.
The corrupt DNC chairwoman Donna Brazile fed Clinton questions during the presidential debate. Clinton had access to much better funding from her corporate donors and greater party support. While it took Clinton Jay-Z and Beyoncé to draw large crowds during rallies, Trump did it with nothing more than an unresolving love of America. Most stunningly, Trump won while spending half of what Clinton did. His campaign was truly “under budget, ahead of schedule.”
There are truly deplorable supporters for both candidates, but there are also hardworking, decent people on both sides. The average Trump supporter and the average Clinton supporter is both worthy of respect and dignity. However, Huffington Post could only cry “racist,” “xenophobic,” “misogynistic,” or “uneducated” so many times before the silent majority turned against them. It is this silent majority that propelled Trump to victory, a people fed up with rabid political correctness.
Going forward, we must remember to respect our country’s democracy. It is OK to dislike a political candidate, but it is never okay to generalize all their supporters as bad people. The best way to understand someone else’s views is by open dialogue. I encourage everyone who backed Clinton to talk to someone who voted for Trump, so they can understand firsthand why someone might have differing views. Likewise, I urge every Trump supporter to do the same.
There may be division right now, but moving forward, we all have to put our differences aside. No matter who is president, I firmly believe any one of us can be successful if we are willing to work hard and smart. We also must unify as a nation, embracing patriotism and love of our country. Rather than dividing ourselves based on race, sexual orientation or gender, we ought to come together and see ourselves as Americans first. Together, as one people, we can, and will Make America Great Again.
— Emmanuel Lai, ’17
10 Comments
Very well stated & mature response.
what a cuck
This article is more or less measured (so credit for that), but I can’t dismiss the moral arrogance of an argument like this. The silent majority is a myth. Not only did more people vote against Trump than for him, most Trump supports make their feelings fairly well known.
While Trump’s words and actions do not match, that shouldn’t reassure us. Should he keep his word we have much to fear.
You’re wrong to think most Trump supporters are open about their support. We are simply the loudest ones. I’ve had many people come up to me and tell me thank you for supporting Trump because they’re too afraid to tell others. I get many nods and high fives for my hat that I proudly wear around my own campus.
You are not a Trump supporter, and you do not talk to many it seems. To pretend you do is the real arrogance in your response to this well written article.
Did you just accuse me of not speaking to Trump supporters, and therefore arrogant? Really?
You are both a hypocrite and self-aggrandizing. For the record, I come from an extended family that almost *universally* voted Trump, and to whom I have had many, many conversations.
In the future, I would suggest you keep your ad hominem attacks to yourself unless you are certain of their accuracy.
Wow! Moral arrogance of the right. The left is now burning, destroying property, calling for impeachment and even assassination because they know so much better than more than half of voters who went with him. Where the young man is mistaken is in thinking both sides can have calm significant dialogue. Those on the left by and large are incapable of that .And most definitely there was a silent majority. My wife and I supported DT and I wanted to put up a sign at the house…. Even just in the back of my car! She was too affraid of the repercussions of our neighbors. Most on the left are so mean and hateful they refuse to enter into any kind of discourse!!!!!!
Great point. It is sad but true. Although it is far less than other groups, Republicans can be marginalized and forced into submission when discussing politics because they are labeled as racists and hatemongers, based on the actions of a small few that do not represent the party. By this logic, all Democrats can be labeled rioters and a form of terrorists for the vile actions some are committing in cities across the country.
Raymond, like many americans, is living in a “fact-free zone.” I’m going to leave it at that; the claims speak for themselves.
!!!!!!!!!!—something about calm dialog?
Well written and thought out. How anyone could even think of voting for a lying, corrupt lifelong politician (Hillary) I will never understand. Anyone who leaves public office with 1/4 Billion $$ – after being “broke” a few years ago is certainly well beyond “suspect”. Despite his faults, which are quite normal, Whatever Trump faults, they affected him and his world, as an individual citizen. Hillarys faults affected Every citizen of our country- she and her husband are a monumental embarassment to our country! As I have done, just ask any foreign citizen – She came very near to making America a “banana republic” laughing stock of the world!
Emmanuel,
Thank you for sharing your feelings for Donald Trump.
I hope as you mature you recognize name calling diminishes the impact of your message. So does parroting talking points, some which are central to your piece, but devoid of facts.
Praying for America.
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