The Democratic Headquarters on Main Street Tuesday waited in silence as the electoral votes across the country were tallied. Statements of “this must be a dream” occasionally floated amongst those in attendance as they watched.
“Well, I came to this country as a refugee. And after months of listening to that man insult other refugees, minorities, women and countless others, I’ve become legitimately afraid that this behavior was rewarded the presidency,” said Sargon Hamad, a University of Idaho student watching at the Democratic Headquarters. “I actually feel alone and unwelcome in my country. I think that’s the way a lot of people feel right now.”
Across Main Street, the Republican Headquarters had the doors open, light flooding the street. Laughter could be heard from inside. It was the antithesis to their Democrat neighbors.
“I am very pleased with the results of the presidency,” said UI student Samra Murray. “Not only did Donald Trump go in as the underdog, but he beat out a career politician and is ready to make changes the American people want to see. This election also brought out the silent majority voters which we haven’t seen in a long time, which was cool to see.”
University of Idaho students are using social media to express worry and fear of the future for minority communities, and also support for the result.
“I’m just shocked that nothing has changed, but Hillary supporters are now the ones full of so-called ‘hate,’” said UI Student Jeffery Doolittle in a Facebook post Thursday, which he gave the Argonaut consent to reprint. “Think about Americans for a change, no this election didn’t kick you out of the country or leave you in devastating horror. There are many worse off places in this world and America is very far from them.”
However, one UI student who is afraid for their safety and asked to remain anonymous, said they are worried and scared.
“And people are acting on these things now because he was able to get this far. And if he can say and do these things and only be rewarded from it, what does that tell the rest of the country?” the UI student said. “I’m scared for my life. I’m scared of stepping out of line. I’m scared that I’m going to do something that someone else doesn’t agree with, and that they will believe that they’re entitled to taking my life into their hands because of it.”
Other students, including Doolittle, are reacting against the riots that were taking place after the election, calling for unison instead of division.
“I guess most of you don’t appreciate what we have in our country and seeing people burn the flag, riot and send threats all over our nation is not fully showing your patriotism of what it truly means to be an American,” Doolittle continued in his post. “Support your country instead of complaining about it, America needs unison more than most of you know right now. Time to think of others for a change.”
One young Republican and UI student Patric Kukla said he is not the biggest Trump fan, but he could not be more ecstatic about Clinton’s loss.
“I’m not very surprised by Trump’s win, because I feel like a lot of Trump supporters were hesitant to share their opinions with the polls in fear of being scrutinized,” Kukla said.
Rather than being focused on the presidential election, Kukla said he was glad Republicans retained the Senate majority.
“I think that now with the Republicans in charge of the house, senate and presidency, we will finally be able to make positive progress in our country,” Kukla said.
Students have gone so far as to say they feel unsafe making comments about the presidential election. The UI student, who has expressed concern for their safety, said they heard people cheering for “National Grab a Pussy Day” Wednesday morning.
The UI student said they have had a difficult time with the election, but has been trying to advocate for peace. They believe part of the reason America is great is because everyone can have different ideas.
“But since the election, there have been so many acts of violence toward women and minorities,” the student said. “I know that the people capable of such things are not the majority, and that they’ve always been around. But they’re more confident in their own protections now.”
Recent UI graduate Chris Hammond said he feels compassion for those who are fearful of the future Trump presidency.
“I understand many minorities, LGBTQ and women are worried,” he said. “I want to let you know I support the people and would never stand behind a man who will infringe on your rights … I feel confident your rights will remain, and if not, I will be the first to sign a petition for impeachment.”
Hammond said Democrats would be surprised by Trump’s stance on a number of key aspects.
“People that actually read up on Trump’s policies would realize he leans left on issues, sometimes more than Secretary Clinton,” he said. “The Republican party needs to evolve to survive, even if he is not my idea image of where the party needs to go.”
ASUI Vice President Kelsy Briggs said everyone needs to respect others’ views.
“Regardless of anyone’s political ideology and reaction to this outcome, though, I think the thing people need to put their faith in is the idea that a united America is a strong one,” Briggs said.
The UI student and Hamad both said they have never seen an election which has left so many people feeling unsafe. Even though they both disagreed with many former Republican candidates, neither has believed they were in danger before.
“You know, I think I took other presidential elections for granted. People like McCain, Romney, they where honorable people who thought differently,” Hamad said. “They were never bad. And (Trump) is.”
The UI student said that they have looked up to Republicans in the past, and conceded that Trump may have policies that can prove to be beneficial, but this is not longer a partisan matter. It also is not about them getting their way, or throwing a fit. The student said it is a matter of humanity because there are victims of violence on a widespread scale.
“Even though this is happening, I’m proud of the people who are standing up for each other. For every act of hate, I see at least ten people speaking against it,” the UI student said. “The hateful are the minority, and they will only continue to lessen with time. We are better than this. The majority is better than this. And many of us are so urgently ready to start our work. To begin patching our society back together. We’re more motivated now to stick up for each other. We all have to involve ourselves to better our society. That’s the only way we’ll see change.”
Erin Bamer also contributed to this article.
Claire Whitley and Erin Bamer can be reached at [email protected]