Opinion

The 2016 election is not the last word for politics

By Alexander Cook ’20

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On Nov. 9, I sat down to watch the returns on Nov. 8 knowing that it would be the most consequentialnight of my life. I understood that the progress of the last eight years was on the ballot. I understood that the future of the Supreme Court was on the ballot. I understood that the state of the world I live in, and the world my children will live in, hinged on the out- come of this year’s election. So it’s un- derstandable to feel angry, disappointed, betrayed and confused. But the next four years will be defined by how those emo- tions are channeled. Protesting the results and demonizing Trump supporters is not constructive.

Had  Secretary  Clinton  won  and Trump’s supporters protested we would have deemed it inappropriate, to say the least. America’s choice was clear, and we have to accept the result and move forward. That doesn’t mean we wait until the next election, though. The best way to mitigate the potential damage of a Trump adminis- tration and make sure this never happens again is to make your voice heard. Drive change. Find an issue you’re passionate about and make a difference. Volunteer, donate and raise awareness. Follow Ma- hatma Gandhi’s advice and “be the change you wish to see in the world.” It all adds up.

Take climate change, for instance. In my opinion, it’s the most pressing issue facing the world today (and didn’t receive nearly the attention it deserved in this cycle).

President-elect Trump and many Republicans in Congress have repeatedly denied its ex- istence, despite overwhelming evidence suggesting otherwise. The next four years could see sig- nificant regression on President Obama’s progress to escape the biggest national security threat facing us. So rather than hiber- nating for four years, let’s get in- volved. Reducing food waste and water and energy usage is a great place to start. If everyone makes one change in lifestyle along these lines, it will reduce our collective footprint enormously, and could buy the time necessary to elect people who will enact large-scale policy. Consider the alternative: according to Business Insider, at the current rate, 11 islands will sink by 2100, and the global con- sequences will be profound.

As President Obama put it, “One voice can change a room, and if one voice can change a room, then it can change a city, and a state, and a nation, and the world. Your voice can change the world.” So instead of hang- ing our heads in despair, let’s go out and change the world. Let’s reduce our carbon footprint by committing to simple change. Let’s conduct ourselves in a way that reaffirms our unwaver- ing commitment to marginalized groups. Let’s show the world that this election was an anomaly, that it does not define the American character and that it will not happen again.

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