--Originally published at Coding The Future
It's been a while since I wrote my last article, and truly I tell you, I wanted to write this article before. I was planning to write this article right after the U.S. election. But then I decided to write it after Remembrance Day. And then I had to push it again, but for a legitimate reason: I needed time. Time to think about the current situation, and time to process all the events that happened in just a matter of days.
Today's topic is not necessarily related to my career, but I am writing about it because it will have an impact in my future, especially since I am part of a minority, and I am Mexican.
After a tough fight, Donald Trump became the president-elect of the United States on November the 8th (also my grandma's birthday). At first, I could not believe it, because all the polls clearly pointed at Clinton as the potential winner, but apparently things weren't as good as they appeared to be. And don't misinterpret me, I am not saying that Hillary was a perfect candidate (she wasn't), but at least I believe that she was more a inclusive and open-minded candidate.
The following days, I sank into a strange kind of crisis, because I was worried about what the future would hold, not only for me, but for my fellow Mexicans. Even though I am not in the US, and I am a permanent resident in Canada, I worry about my country's economy being affected, I worry about the effects that the possible mass-deportation could bring, I worry about the violence that could come as a result of the US government forcing Mexico to pay for the wall, I worry about the suffering that many families will if they are separated due to deportation. Obviously, we are yet to see what happens, but based on Trump's campaign, that projected hate and racism throughout his rallies and speeches, I worry about all of these things.
I know Clinton was not a perfect candidate. She indeed had many flaws. But to me, there was hope in her, because she believed in what President Obama believes: equality for all regardless of gender or religion, fair treatment for immigrants who are looking for better lives, LGBTQ+ rights, etc. Her campaign's message was one of acceptance for all, promoting a multicultural US instead of just the Great American Melting Pot. That is why I believed Clinton would have been better.
Then Remembrance Day came, and I took advantage of this day to reflect. Reflect especially on the concept of freedom. Many have died to give us freedom. Whether I am in Canada or in Mexico, I get to enjoy this freedom. But I fear that this freedom will be limited for all my brothers and sisters in the US. And that saddens me. Especially because freedom is the greatest gift that we poses, and taking it away would be like going back in time, and undoing all the progress we've achieved over the years. Freedom to love who you want, religious freedom, freedom of speech. I feel all of these are threatened with President Trump in office. But this is still yet to be seen.
It's now been two weeks since the election, and I my feelings are mixed. I have decided not to lose my hope, and just hope for the best. Hope that President-Elect Trump will not be as bad as he seemed he would during his campaign. Hope that he will show mercy, and build bridges instead of walls (well, not literally though). All we can do is move forward, work with what we have, but always stand up for what is right.
I hope this article doesn't offend you or anyone. After all, it's just an opinion from a boy who loves politics –and programming.
Expect my last few posts within the next 48 hours.
Regards,
@emamex98
