There is something to be said about the feeling of watching your past high school classmates who you worked with on AP Gov projects about Redlining and Roe v. Wade post on their Instagram stories that they’re relieved they’ve secured another Trump presidency. Seeing my past friends who I’ve done countless theater productions with post that Trump has successfully taken out the trash and America is finally back on track has me reflecting on all my past interactions with people who I once believed were for me. Did they really see me for who I am? Was I just one of the “good ones” to them? Were my struggles they appeared to empathize with not worthy enough to look into and try to understand?
I can’t help but think back to my younger middle school self and how I felt when Trump first got elected. I remember the overwhelming feeling of dread I felt once I walked into the school that day to witness all the support for a man who spewed nothing but hate toward all aspects of my identity. Politics have always been personal to me, I do not have the liberty to hide my political affiliations as I bear it on my skin. I am thankful to be secure and assured in my self-identity surrounded by chosen family and friends, but for those young people who have yet to find themselves and are subject to the judgment and ridicule from their community, give yourself some grace today. I know it feels like the whole world is against you, take some time off of Instagram and TikTok, your own peace of mind comes first.