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Arab Americans Share Their Feelings About Trump’s Victory

posted on: Nov 11, 2016

Anti-Trump protest occurring around the nation. image credit: Revision3

BY: Meshal Abusalem/Contributing Writer

The presidential elections offered one final bombshell Wednesday morning, although Donald Trump may not agree. Hillary Clinton not only lost the race, she did not come close to the projections provided by the media. Donald Trump shocked the world and defeated Clinton. The media, people, and foreign countries were all in disbelief, wondering how this had happened. People quickly burst onto the streets and posted online to express their dissent.

Minorities were especially concerned about the outcome of this election because of the manner in which Donald Trump expressed his thoughts about the Arab, Black, Muslim and Latino communities. Trump was also very insensitive to women and sexual minorities.

The media did not hesitate to blame their misconceptions about the election on polling data, stating that “leaners” had given a false impression as to who would win the election. Foreign countries quickly, on the other hand, congratulated Trump. Americans who did not support trump have responded to the results by protesting the results in the streets and on social media.

Americans protesting the result have used the hashtag #notmypresident on twitter and on the posters they hold while demonstrating. They are from all genders and races, although mostly younger college students.

Since most of Trump’s attacks on minorities were geared at Arabs, Muslims, or a combination of the two, many felt the need to state their opinions publicly. Droves of Arab Americans took to Twitter express their fear about a Trump president. Some of the posts were funny, sad, true, or scary. Aspiring Arab comedians took pictures of themselves holding a packed suitcase, ready to leave the country. Some just posted funny memes. The sad truth is that many Arab Americans were actually checking one-way airline tickets to other countries as Trump edged closer to the White House.

Frustrations with the results were obvious, which has perpetuated a political divide within the Arab American community. Some Arab American Democrats blamed the community’s Trump supporters for the outcome of the election, calling them “ignorant” and “traitors.” Many Arab Americans were proud they voted for Trump, stating that Clinton would have caused more bloodshed in the Arab world; some think he has better policies for the country. However, there are women in the community who believe Arab American Trump supporters are sexist and don’t believe a woman can run a country. Gender inequality is an issue that has plagued Arab culture for centuries, and many young Arab American women are doing all they can to move past these sentiments.

Perhaps the most alarming posts were those from parents who posted pictures of their children crying in fear, worried they might get deported. Arab Americans know their rights; they understand that Donald Trump will only have so much power as president. The difficulty of teaching this reality to children is overwhelming parents across America this week.

Regardless of one’s opinion on Donald Trump, he will be the next president of the United States. All minorities can do now is hope he acts presidential and fairly to Americans of all backgrounds.

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