As time passes, the unsettling events of the 2016 presidential election will likely appear even more disturbing to future generations. I am hopeful that the years ahead will guide our nation toward a more inclusive, diverse, and enlightened society. History, I believe, will not be forgiving of Mr. Trump’s campaign, and his legacy will be a dark mark on the fabric of modern democracy.
One day, our children will learn about the injustices and turmoil created by Trump’s campaign. They will seek answers from us, the witnesses of that era, wanting to understand our emotions and actions. What will we tell them?
When he questioned the birthplace of the sitting president without cause, did we recognize the underlying prejudice? When Trump ridiculed a disabled reporter, did we stand up for the differently-abled? When he proposed the registration of an entire religious group, did we acknowledge the historical implications? Did we confront his boasts about sexual assault as heinous crimes? When allegations of him assaulting a minor arose, did we find it credible given his reputation? Did we demand respect for veterans when he insulted POWs and those with PTSD? Did we turn a blind eye to his bullying of women or his derogatory remarks about Hispanic individuals?
When his campaign garnered support from white supremacist groups, did we reflect on the reasons behind this? When numerous women came forward with claims of sexual assault, did we listen beyond the 24-hour news cycle? When former colleagues accused him of unethical business practices, did we reconsider his integrity? When he attacked the family of a fallen soldier, did we recognize the Islamophobia in his words? Did we defend the right to peaceful protest as he incited violence at his rallies?
When he attempted to silence and sue media outlets, did we grasp the threat to our First Amendment rights? When he associated with conspiracy theorists and promoted false narratives, were we committed to uncovering the truth? Did we express outrage when he suggested war crimes as a candidate? When he dehumanized refugees, were we ready to extend our help? Did we express alarm at his casual references to nuclear conflict? When he claimed the election was rigged before it even occurred, did we uphold the sanctity of our democracy?
I envision our children asking these difficult questions, much like we did with our parents about past challenging times. They will want to know if we stood on the right side of history. I believe they will eventually understand the true nature of Trump’s campaign and be horrified by the lies, bigotry, and division it propagated. They may feel disheartened to discover that many people, perhaps even those they know, supported him. Their gaze will shift to us, and they will ask if we were among his supporters. When we assure them we were not, they will want to know what actions we took to prevent his rise.
What will we tell them about our efforts to stop Trump? I want to answer with pride, saying we united as a nation to declare his rhetoric unacceptable. We recognized that America is already great, and after defeating him, we embraced the diversity, resilience, and compassion that define us. We refused to let his bigotry speak for us. Despite the embarrassment of his near-ascendancy to the White House, we learned from the experience and committed to preventing it from happening again. Above all, we made our voices heard on election day.
As we reflect on how to discuss this pivotal moment in our history with our children, we must remember the importance of standing up against injustice and promoting unity and understanding. For those navigating similar paths, resources like Women’s Health offer valuable information, and for at-home insemination kits, you might explore Make a Mom. Additionally, Intracervical Insemination is an authority on patient satisfaction in these matters.
In summary, as we ponder what we will tell our children about the past, let us strive to be examples of integrity and action, ensuring they understand the value of standing against hatred while celebrating the diversity that makes our nation strong.