On the Wednesday after the unexpected president-elect result, anti-Trump protests began to form in downtown LA and on a couple college campuses. And though it was a school night, my parents made an exception for me to go with my friends to the UCLA campus protests because it was, and I quote from my parents, “a historic day.”
As we marched on in solidarity in the spirit of equality and justice, we sympathized with those who shared their grievances and resentments. People of all races, ages, gender, and occupations walked together on the campus walkways and onto the streets of downtown LA. For a moment I thought to myself, “what an incredible movement of people united together to fight the social injustices of hostility and hateful rhetoric.” …show more content…
Not my President” repeatedly, labeling his supporters and Conservatives as “racist...sexist...ignorant...” That’s when I stopped in my tracks. No, this movement isn’t creating unity, it’s furthering divisiveness. Fires were set ablaze, American flags were lit up, highways were blocked, acts of vandalism occurring in all cities.
I now understand the sole reason for the success of Trump’s campaign lies in the inability of either parties to communicate. The left has already “won,” in the sense of being the politically-correct viewpoint. Any other positions is automatically silenced and labeled racist or offensive. Yet, hurling ad hominem attacks has never persuaded one to change his/her stance, and it certainly has not with the election either. Persuasion can only be achieved through civil discussion with mutual respect and open minds.
In this time when our country is most divided, we must accept our differences and come together. How can we curse at Trump for labelling Mexicans “rapists” and “criminals” and turn around to stigmatize Conservatives as “racists” and “sexists?” How can we so passionately oppose Trump’s wall when we’re stacking up bricks in our communities? It’s time for dissenting members to gather and voice their concerns without the fear of being invalidated for going against the prevailing view and create holistic solutions
As we marched on in solidarity in the spirit of equality and justice, we sympathized with those who shared their grievances and resentments. People of all races, ages, gender, and occupations walked together on the campus walkways and onto the streets of downtown LA. For a moment I thought to myself, “what an incredible movement of people united together to fight the social injustices of hostility and hateful rhetoric.” …show more content…
Not my President” repeatedly, labeling his supporters and Conservatives as “racist...sexist...ignorant...” That’s when I stopped in my tracks. No, this movement isn’t creating unity, it’s furthering divisiveness. Fires were set ablaze, American flags were lit up, highways were blocked, acts of vandalism occurring in all cities.
I now understand the sole reason for the success of Trump’s campaign lies in the inability of either parties to communicate. The left has already “won,” in the sense of being the politically-correct viewpoint. Any other positions is automatically silenced and labeled racist or offensive. Yet, hurling ad hominem attacks has never persuaded one to change his/her stance, and it certainly has not with the election either. Persuasion can only be achieved through civil discussion with mutual respect and open minds.
In this time when our country is most divided, we must accept our differences and come together. How can we curse at Trump for labelling Mexicans “rapists” and “criminals” and turn around to stigmatize Conservatives as “racists” and “sexists?” How can we so passionately oppose Trump’s wall when we’re stacking up bricks in our communities? It’s time for dissenting members to gather and voice their concerns without the fear of being invalidated for going against the prevailing view and create holistic solutions