McClatchy students have mixed reactions to election results; show strength

         Donald Trump’s upset victory in November’s presidential election stunned pollsters, politicians, and common citizens alike. But conversations with McClatchy students reveal that while many shared the popular response to Mr. Trump’s win, even more were not surprised. Quinlan Nguyen (‘18) said his awareness of our state’s deep shade of blue kept him wary of Mr. Trump’s chances, even when locals were confident in a Clinton victory. “Only in California they said that [Hillary’s win was assured], but everywhere else they didn’t.” Quinlan even bet $50 on Mr. Trump, though he’s yet to collect his winnings.

An understanding of regional differences also prepared Isabella Pfeffer (‘18) for the election results. She has family members in Wisconsin, a state the president-elect carried, who supported Mr. Trump. “I knew lots of people that were for him,” she said.

Other students gave different reasons for doubting the supreme confidence in pro-Clinton (and anti-Trump) circles. “I wasn’t surprised [about the results],” said Sergio Garcia (‘19). “He won almost all the debates.” For Raemundo Vega (‘17), perhaps it was a premonition. “A little piece of me always knew,” he said.

Mr. Trump was one of the most controversial presidential candidates in recent memory. His victory saddened many who were turned off by his offensive comments and the regressive ethos of his campaign, and in this regard, McClatchy students were no exception. “I woke up, looked at my phone, saw the news, and spent the entire day in a depressed mood,” said Hunter Hill (‘18) of his November 9th. “There was a lot of anger.”

“I was literally just sitting there, tears rolling down my face,” said Madeline Jagla (11).

Other disapproving individuals feared the consequences of Mr. Trump’s proposed policies more than they were upset by someone of his character being in the White House. “At first I was extremely worried about my stepfather,” said Garcia. He’s not as worried now, however, because he doesn’t believe Mr. Trump will follow through on his promises of mass-deportations. Jared Mayer (‘18) expressed concern about the president-elect’s ability to keep Americans safe. “I feel like we’re going to war,” he said.

Not all McClatchy students felt so strongly about the election results. Freshman Caden Barton says “I didn’t care, and people shouldn’t.” He believes Mr. Trump’s proposals that scare people the most, like a Muslim registry, will be ruled unconstitutional, and therefore shouldn’t frighten anyone. It is worth noting, however, that Mr. Trump and his Republican congress will have the privilege of selecting Antonin Scalia’s replacement on the Supreme Court.

Though the McClatchy community was, in general, disappointed by the election results, no one appeared to lose pride in their country. McClatchy students distanced themselves from the president-elect and his supporters, saying that the opinions of some aren’t reflective of all Americans. “I know who I am,” said Mady Foster (‘20). Mayer had similar thoughts: “I’m not less proud [to be an American]. You are you, not your president.”

Omar Vega put an optimistic twist on the situation, saying that Mr. Trump’s rise from reality television to the White House should inspire hope in the American Dream. “Anyone can be anything here,” he said, “even president.” It was a common joke before the election that if Mr. Trump won, people would move to Canada. But McClatchy students aren’t abandoning ship.

In fact, many said this election motivated them to become better citizens of the United States. Neither Raemundo Vega nor Sergio Garcia were old enough to vote in 2016. But both indicated they will take their civic duty seriously in the future, in part to prevent another outcome as disagreeable to them as this one was. “I’m going to vote to get him out in four years,” said Vega, who added that he worries for his future daughter in President Trump’s America.

Mady Foster says that she’ll work hard to “prove [Mr. Trump] wrong, by being successful as a woman.”

Omar Vega (‘17), recognizing that the division in our country helped Mr. Trump get elected in the first place, plans to empathize with those who supported him. “Lots of people voted for economic reasons,” he said, dismissing the notion that the president-elect’s supporters are all hateful.

As a whole, McClatchy students were devastated by the developments of November 8th. But all indications show they were not defeated.