Editor’s Note: This story contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, there are multiple places you can contact. You are able to chat or call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. You can also call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225
I’ve never been into politics much until this year, especially during this presidential election. Donald Trump vs. Kamala Harris piqued my interest in politics and the United States economy. I found myself continuously wondering about who would win and what would come after the election. It made me nervous as a woman for my safety and future. The votes had been very neck-and-neck for the candidates and it made me nervous about the potential of a negative aftermath once the results were announced.
THREATS OF VIOLENCE
One of my biggest fears about this presidential election was the possibility of riots and violence regardless of which side won. It felt like a lose-lose.
My main fear was that if Trump didn’t win, a potential situation similar to what happened on Jan. 6 in 2021. For those who may not be familiar, on Jan. 6, 2021 a violent and heavily armed mob of supporters of outgoing President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol. Five people were killed, including one Capitol Police officer who was beaten by rioters. The riot began to keep Donald Trump in power by preventing a joint session of Congress from counting the Electoral College votes to formalize the victory of President-elect Joe Biden. My fear was that if Trump lost, his supporters would have committed similar acts as they did when he lost in 2021.
SOCIAL MEDIA BACKLASH
I’m also nervous to see how people who have publicly announced who they’re voting for may respond to possible backlash if the person they endorsed for didn’t win. Celebrities who’ve endorsed Kamala will get more hate from those who support Trump. I look up to and idolize celebrities such as Rihanna, Billie Eilish, and numerous others, who’ve all endorsed Kamala. I view a lot of them as idols and it would pain me to see someone I’ve loved since a child receive hate or even potential threats.
In addition to celebrities, there have been numerous Republicans who endorsed Harris such as Anthony Scaramucci, who was Trump’s White House communications director and Olivia Troye, who was Homeland Security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence. They will receive even more hate since they are a Republican who endorsed the Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris rather than Donald Trump who was the Republican candidate.
LOSS OF RIGHTS FOR THOSE IN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
Another serious element that worries me is “Project 2025” Trump has claimed “I know nothing about Project 2025. I have no idea who is behind it. I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal. Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them.”
Even though Trump claimed he does not know who is in charge of Project 2025, his previous high-ranking officials like Paul Dans, who served as the director and Spencer Chretien, who is the associate director of the project. Ben Carson, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Trump, John Ratcliffe, the former director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration and Peter Navarro, who served as a top trade adviser to Trump in the White House are listed as either authors or contributors to the policy agenda.
It’s hard to believe that Trump is completely oblivious to who’s in charge of the project when they have previously worked under him. This has caused major speculation that Trump may be involved in Project 2025. There is even overlap between the playbook for Project 2025 and the plans Trump has articulated in campaign speeches and in his campaign agenda, Agenda 47.
In Trump’s first four years in office, he banned transgender people from serving in the military, which the ban was reversed by former President Joe Biden, however the Project 2025 policy book calls to reinstate the ban. The Project 2025 guide also recommends the next secretary of Health and Human Services get rid of the Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force established by the Biden administration. This would take away a woman’s right to her reproductive system, which is completely disgusting. I believe no one should have the right to tell another what to do with their bodies. It is indignified violation of one’s human rights.
MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS
Not only was I afraid of riots, but also that this election would impact people’s mental health and wellbeing. I have seen reports of a rise in calls to crisis hotlines. Organizations and crisis hotlines that provide help to LGBTQ+ youth and adults have reported a large spike in calls during the election and since Trump’s victory. A group of teenagers planned to commit a “group suicide” if Trump were to win, however the case manager was able to chat with the teen who initiated the plan and the teen said that they did not want to follow through.
Those in the LGBTQ+ community, women and many other groups are faced with the fear of Trump running our government. With Trump’s previous attitude regarding the rights of those in the LGBTQ+ community, many members are worried that their rights will be taken from them. While Trump was in office during 2017-2021, he banned those who identify as transgender to be allowed in the military. Those who were banned were given an ultimatum, many said they felt like they were forced to choose between continuing in service or having their dignity and basic health care needs provided. That being said, I can understand why people in the community may have a fear regarding Trump being elected as President. My heart goes out to all of those feeling lost and helpless or who feel as though their rights are being stripped from them.
The decision of who is president impacts our future. Myself, my schoolmates, family and friends are all impacted by this decision. Women’s reproductive rights, rights for those in the LGBTQ+ community and other minorities are at stake.
Editor’s Note: The ideas and claims shared in this article are the opinions of the writer. These views may not represent those of the adviser; of the Trail staff as a whole; of the Trail’s advertisers; of the administration, faculty or staff of McIntosh High School; of Fayette County Public Schools or of the FCBOE School Board members.
