Looking at the maps of counties across the country after the election really unsettled me
The closer you are to a big city, the more likely it is that your area is democratically ruled. That says to me that our rural areas are going to stay conservative and feel out of touch while the urban and suburban areas are going to keep socially and politically progressing and leaving the more rural areas in the dust. It's unfair. Theres a huge divide between rural and urban america with social politics that just shocks me. Dismissing blatant racism, sexist, and xenophobia is just unthinkable to me. Growing up in Austin it seems shocking to me that there are places where that is still ever allowed. It's just so starting to see that as a nation we are more divided than I ever thought
This election changed me.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Sydney
ReplyDeleteI suspect that many of us share the same feelings regarding this election. Similarly, I cannot believe that two weeks have passed since Trump was declared president-elect. With each passing day resignation grows and the uncertainty lingers. Trump’s rhetoric during his campaign instilled fear, anxiety, and an uneasiness that us, young Americans, have never experienced during our lifetime. I know that older generations have experienced years of uncertainty in the past—whether economical, social, or cultural. The racial tension that laid seemingly dormant and invisible to the naked eye is suddenly awakening, but it is up to us, sensible Americans, to lead our families and communities in unison. In the presence of uncivility, we must fight back by demonstrating civility.
It’s difficult to fully understand the depth of the divisiveness if you are not the target of direct attacks whether verbal, psychological, or sadly, physical.
An African American ACC student whom I personally know was physically assaulted the day after the election near the capitol here in Austin. Her attackers spewed out derogatory names as they angrily attacked her.
We might feel immune to the prejudice that fuels discrimination because we live in this Democratic bubble called Austin, but the divide is here in our city too.
Recently, I find myself thinking much about Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. This book was written by a French aristocrat about American government almost two hundred years ago. It’s relevance to today’s modern political culture is incredible. Below I share with you a quote from this book that I highly recommend if you haven’t had the chance to read.
“There are some nations in Europe whose inhabitants think of themselves in a sense as colonists, indifferent to the fate of the place they live in. The greatest changes occur in their country without their cooperation. They are not even aware of precisely what has taken place. They suspect it; they have heard of the event by chance. More than that, they are unconcerned with the fortunes of their village, the safety of their streets, the fate of their church and its vestry. They think that such things have nothing to do with them, that they belong to a powerful stranger called “the government.” They enjoy these goods as tenants, without a sense of ownership, and never give a thought to how they might be improved. They are so divorced from their own interests that even when their own security and that of their children is finally compromised, they do not seek to avert the danger themselves but cross their arms and wait for the nation as a whole to come to their aid. Yet as utterly as they sacrifice their own free will, they are no fonder of obedience than anyone else. They submit, it is true, to the whims of a clerk, but no sooner is force removed than they are glad to defy the law as a defeated enemy. Thus one finds them ever wavering between servitude and license.
When a nation has reached this point, it must either change its laws and mores or perish for the well of public virtue has run dry: in such a place one no longer finds citizens but only subjects.”
-Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
Hi, Ms. Angione
ReplyDeleteI suppose most of us of the younger generation were as a matter of fact shocked with this year's presidential election, considering the rhetoric used by our president-elect. The bigotry, racism, and economic promises that the Donald spoke about was what in my perspective intrigued many American voters specifically, rural residents. Economic frustrations, as well as paranoia; was key in winning votes this year. It's understandable why many rural residents feel left behind in today's booming economy, most of these Americans were used to simply graduating High school, or dropping out at an early age — and simply finding work at the local manufacturing company etc. But with the fast-paced and high-value services better known as economically knowledge jobs, it leaves rural residents out of the picture.
Furthermore, with the hardships of finding a job, rural residents develop anger, frustration, and even repugnant point of views. The frustrations of not being able to financially provide for themselves, and more importantly their families. Results in people looking for a so-called hero. Coincidentally, Donald Trump's presidency, and rhetoric evoked a passionate emotion and more importantly, he was the new voice for rural America. A true savior in the eyes of the forgotten Americans.
The economic misfortunes of many Americans have led to a much greater divide between us of the urban side of America and those of the rural side. Everything from politics, education, economics, as well as sociological perspectives. What urban Americans consider acceptable, for example, gay marriage, rural America would most likely think of that as a norm. As my colleague, Ms. Angione says, "we are more divided than I ever thought" I certainly agree with her, I feel as if our country is very divided this year, considering the differences in politics between us and rural America.
It is honestly very sad and shocking that till this day some Americans support racism, bigotry, and sexism. I guess we don't learn from our history that these kind of beliefs aren't necessarily going to "make America great again". In fact when was America ever great? but our entitlement to speech gives us the opportunities to speak with such hateful rhetoric, which as we saw in 2016 is still favorable to many Americans. Ultimately, this year’s election startled me, I have to put into mind that we might be even more divided than ever. Our only option now is to watch how our president-elect runs the most prestigious office in the country. Thus, I enjoyed Ms. Angione's perspective on America’s current demographics. It was a very intellectual, informative, and eye-catching topic.
Sincerely, Alfredo Jaimes