Student Voices: The 2016 Presidential Election
“[We need to] come together because that is the only way we can get through this,” says undecided major Joey Thurmon in response to the 2016 Presidential Election outcome. Amid large turmoil and debate around the nation and especially online, the Student Voice decided to interview Moorpark College students to understand their perspective on the election and the aftermath. Photo credit: Willem Schep
November 17, 2016
Moorpark College students share mixed reactions to the end of the tumultuous 2016 election season.
The end of the 2016 presidential election has thrown the whole world for a loop with a conclusion almost no one expected, inciting protests, fear, anger and even violence across the nation. Tensions are still running high as many U.S. citizens, and undocumented residents, aren’t sure what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for them, highlighting a deep division between everyone who lives here. Will the president-elect’s policies give our nation a shot in the arm, or are we headed backwards down the path?
We turned to the students of Moorpark College for their take on the conclusion of presidential election, the resulting protests and riots and for what they hope for the future in this special edition of Student Voices.
How did you feel about the elections?
“I feel endangered because of all the hate crimes that are going on. I’m transgender and I’m queer and I don’t want to be attacked because I exist”
How do you feel about all the protest?
“I think they are good but the violence isn’t. Violence is never good on either side”
What do you have to say to those who think we are overreacting?
“I feel like everyone should be able to express their opinions about it because it is very emotional for a lot of people, so they should be able to express the emotions they are feeling.”
How did you feel about the election results?
“I wasn’t very happy about it. My mom and I were kind of sitting on the couch and when we saw that that happen we just kind of looked at each other like why this is happening. I mean either way I didn’t think we would be very happy with the results but we were a little disappointed.”
How do you feel about the riots that are happening?
“It hasn’t gotten violent, I don’t think so. I think it’s gone too bad. It’s just people standing up to what they believe in, so I’m kind of OK with the way they are handling it at the moment.”
How did you feel about the election results?
“Well I cried. I was very disappointed. I definitely voted for [Hillary Clinton]. I think both Hillary and Trump supporters didn’t think Trump would win. So I was very shocked.”
How do you feel about all the protest going on?
“I say more power to them at the same time I haven’t gotten involved with any of them. I don’t think there is much we can do about it now. So I think it’s more of coming from a place of love and acceptance at this point.”
What would you say to other people who don’t agree with you?
“I would say as long as it’s peaceful do what your heart desires but make sure you are spreading positivity ”
How did you feel about the election results?
“I felt like it was OK.”
Did you feel like people were overreacting?
“Definitely, I’ve kind of done my research and the issues people are upset about some of the media stuff had been edited so recently interviews of Donald Trump talk about exactly what he said not just portions cut out where it made him feel like he was racist or didn’t care about gays and lesbians.”
How do you feel about the rallies?
“I don’t mind if people protest. Everybody should have their voices heard. It’s a free country you can do that, I don’t like obviously the violence when they go wreck somebody’s building or their car; that person could be voting for the same person they are.
What you hope for the future?
“I hope that both sides can work together without hurting each other. I think there actually is hope that he wants to work with people. Personally I feel like the only people that should be upset are the people from Mexico and that whole issue over there – I don’t want a wall. I think we should give people the path to citizenship, those people I can really understand being upset. Everybody else they need to really know what he is talking about and what he means with each of the issues.”
How did you feel about the election results?
“I was disappointed because I was a Hillary supporter, well at first I was a [Bernie Sanders] supporter and then obviously when he lost I was kind of sad about that but us democrats we stick together, so yeah I was kind of disappointed in our country but towards the end I kind of expected it. I didn’t think Hillary could recover from all the emails and the FBI letter and stuff. So yeah it was sad but I’ve kind of moved on from it and we need to unite together now”
Did this have any emotional impact on you?
“I felt like the Wednesday after I was kind of in mourning. It was a weird day for me.”
Do you think people are overreacting on social media?
“Yes. In reality I don’t think the presidential election doesn’t directly affect everybody. I don’t know what Trump would do but I think people kind of freak out for no reason”
What do you think about all the rallies going on?
“I think they are very stupid, especially here in California, we all voted for Hillary so I don’t know why they are doing this. I think that the day after I kind of expected rallies either way but I feel like it’s been almost a week now and people need to get over it and figure out new ways to fix the country.”
What do you hope for the future?
“I hope that he surpasses everybody’s expectations because saying you want him to fail is like saying you want the plane to crash that you are on. I hope that he is controlled, I don’t want him to overturn Roe v. Wade and gay marriage and stuff like that. I just hope he fixes the country and does something good.”
How did you feel about the election results?
“I felt insulted. I feel like my intelligence got insulted by nominating and electing someone who is not only an anti-feminist male, he is also very racist to other people of minorities and secondly I feel like he is a very entitled person who thinks his opinion is what everyone else should be following. This is a country full of diversity and we should be working together and uniting as a nation not separating and singling out other people because they are different. I think it’s so effed up that we are allowing this to happen and because he got elected a lot more hate crimes are starting to happen now and the riots that are breaking out and the protest that are happening, it’s becoming a country of chaos. Not so much a melting pot but like a salad.”
How did you feel about the election results?
“Originally I was supporting Clinton but up until the results and finding out Trump won, I will admit I was disappointed but I do want to have a positive outlook for our new [president-elect] because I feel like if I had a negative reaction it would kinda further divide the country. I am already seeing a lot of negative impacts and a lot of debating back and forth. There is no middle ground between both parties and I feel like if I can help spread this neutrality between both parties and we can like come together and work towards the issues this is how we can push the nation forward.”
