Historically, the University has often mirrored the rest of the nation, through wars and social movements spanning two centuries. Today our little microcosm feels by and large detached from the millions of Americans who came out in droves for Donald Trump in yesterday’s presidential election. In our recent survey of undergraduates, 67 percent of likely voters expressed support for Hillary Clinton, compared to just 9 percent for Trump. And an overwhelming majority of students reported some degree of anxiety over the election. Many of us are upset today. As we try to pick up the pieces of what this election — and its result — has done to our community, it’s important to remember that while we cannot control the outcome of this election anymore, we can still control how we as U.Va. students treat each other.
While racism has long existed at our University, Donald Trump has emboldened racists here and elsewhere. In recent weeks, the University has felt the effects of such divisive and uncivil rhetoric from the presidential campaigns. According to a University report, there has been an increase of bias-motivated incidents throughout Grounds — including anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic and racist vandalism reports. We can only anticipate these acts will, at a minimum, continue.
Many students have led the charge against racial and personal intimidation. The “Eliminate the Hate” campaign has brought students together in solidarity against such acts. With this type of civil but vigorous action against these occurrences, we can build a community that actively promotes each other’s rights — even in view of a president whose hateful rhetoric will likely continue to invigorate those who try to drive a wedge between us. We can only hope Trump will serve with more dignity than how he ran his campaign. In the meantime, let us set the standard for how to unify divided groups — and be the role models that haven’t appeared for us in this election.
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