by cassandrahewlett

I am.

I am not racist. I am not homophobic. I am not sexist. I am not a misogynist. I am for free market. I am for stronger foreign policy. I am for small business. I am for my family. I am Republican.

With the results of the presidential election stirring up a vast amount of emotions, I think it is important to clarify something: just because I am Republican does not mean I am heartless. The point of this is not to debate political policies. It is to highlight what it felt like to be a Republican college student the day after Donald Trump was elected President of the United States.

On November 9th, I went to class and in every single one there was a somber attitude. Pre-lecture discussions were filled with phrases like “I am scared for our future”, “I am scared to be gay”, “How did this happen?”, and, by far the most bothersome, “People that voted for Trump are racist, sexist, misogynistic, homophobic selfish red necks”. Even my professors opened class with the assumption that everyone was sad about the result of the election by saying things like, “let’s not talk about last night. Ever.” or “No class on Friday. I’m house hunting in Canada.”

Well, I was not sad. While I understand that many people found the result disheartening, I am happy that the Republican party is in office for the next four years. I am happy that trade and markets will once again be free. I am happy that we are going to attack terrorism more aggressively instead of being walked all over. I am happy that jobs will be brought back into the United States. I am happy that small business owners will finally be able to reap the benefits of hard work and dedication. I am happy that I voted in my first presidential election as a Republican.

With that said, I am not racist, sexist, misogynistic, or homophobic. My parents decided to raise my siblings and me closer to the city so that we did not grow up sheltered and ignorant of the diverse world around us. I have never once felt that I could not date or befriend someone because of their race, ethnicity, or gender identity. For that, I am forever grateful to my parents for the way they raised me.

The response to this election has made me, and many other college students who voted Republican, feel that we need to hide or downplay our satisfaction over our victory because of the fear that our opposing peers will label us. That is not right. The controversy surrounding both candidates during this election took voting based on character out of the question. In my opinion, neither candidate has outstanding character.

Silencing those who simply exercised their right to vote in our free nation violates the core principles for which our country stands. I am by no means saying that those who were not happy with the results of the election do not have the right to mourn. They absolutely do. However, I am saying that those who are content with the results should feel safe in expressing their joy and optimism for the future of this country without the fear of being ostracized.

I am a Republican. I still care. I am not heartless.

~Cassie Hewlett

257 thoughts on “I am.”

  1. Cassandra, How wonderful for you to be finally able to participate in our democracy. It seems you went into the decision on how to vote in a very thoughtful matter.

    I did not vote for Mr Trump for a variety of reasons most already stated. That being said I am so saddened that you wrote something to help you find your path that so many people attacked.

    I too saw the reports of people being attacked because it was thought they supported Trump. I also saw the other reports of bigotry and hate. I too am disgusted by both actions.

    I find the us vs them mentality that has been permeating this country hard to swallow. We are all Americans. Shouldn’t we find common ground to build. Wouldn’t that be a place to start

    I see how you respond to some of the more hurtful comments with intelligence and grace. I see a willingness to see another perspective. I see a very bright future. Maybe in politics.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hi,
      Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post and also leave such a kind comment. I greatly appreciate your ability to see the greater message in all of this: we need to encourage the sharing of ideas, not silence them. And of course, the hate and violence will not get our country anywhere. Thank you again for your kind words. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
      ~Cassie

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Your candidate is in consistent in a few things, namely his opposition to the Transpacific TRADE Partnership (TTP), the World TRADE Organization, and the North American FREE TRADE Agreement, all of which were pursued by democrats. He is in favor of protectionism (tariffs tax on imports), thereby taking away the American consumer’s capitalistic freedom, encouraging similar behavior by foreign nations ofor US exports, and thereby shrinking free trade throughout the world. This falls in line with his highly restrictive immigration policy, which would starve businesses from from volume of talent and makes them vulnerable to losing ground in internationally competitive markets.

    The only thing other than protectionism your candidate has been consistent about has been racist, xenophobic demagoguery. That makes you either seriously misinformed or a wolf in sheep’s clothing. In either event, we should be fearful of you.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    1. Nihal I find your post disturbing. “Your caidate” that’s over. He is our president elect.
      As for the trade deals, have you read them? They are not neutral nor do the favor the USA. Especially China and Japan which are very lopsided in their favor. China is especially dangerous as they have manipulated our currency many times, and put heavy tariff on American goods and produce.
      I’m not saying we should unilaterally leave the deals, but fairness should be a goal.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.”

    Oh, one more thing.

    Why did you feel that you needed to write this blog post? Why did you need to clarify to the Internet that you are not a racist? What has happened that you feel the need to tell the world that you are not a racist? Are there many other racists who voted for Trump that you don’t want to be confused with? Is it because Trump’s campaign has been so tainted with his racist statements that a huge number of people both in this country and the rest of the world now publically acknowledge that he is racist? It is that suddenly the general consensus is that anyone who voted for a racist must also be a racist, because many are? Why would anyone feel the need to ostracise you for your joy of electing a racist?

    The point is that if his campaign were not so laden with layer upon layer of bigotry and hatred, you wouldn’t have had the uncertainty or anxiety that compelled you to distinguish yourself from all of the other known racists who have led to this man’s election. You present yourself as being confident that you voted for the racist, but you’re not so confident that you can’t escape clarifying that you’re not like him or the other people who voted for him.

    Thank you for trying, but the fact that you even felt the need to write this at all says so much about not only the candidate that you voted for and the platform on which he ran, but also the character of the other people who voted for him. If neither he nor many of his supporters were not so widely known to be racists, then you wouldn’t have had to write this to demarcate your position at all. Instead of distinguishing yourself from these people, in declaring that you are happy with this election result, you are really only revealing your own moral ambiguity.

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply

    1. How about Cassie decided to write this because in this country one can freely write a blog to express a point of view. I know people like you hate that concept, hence you are in the streets protesting the process that produced 44 previous Presidents. As for the whole “racism” thing, liberals are the true racists. Look at abortion which affects black people more so than any other demographic. Or inner city America where liberals have controlled city hall for generations.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      1. Ooh, here they all come. She certainly does have a right to freely express herself on by writing a blog post. I’m not suggesting that she shouldn’t have written it, but am only posing questions so that she may reflect on her internal motivations that led her to writing it. It’s false to assume that ‘people like me’ hate anything. You don’t actually know who I am. Something seems to have struck a rather reactive nerve of yours. If you could critically read what was written, you might be better able to ascertain what I was trying to convey. I’m in the streets, am I? You don’t know that. I haven’t even identified myself as a liberal, but you have revealed your opposition to them and an unwillingness to be able to have a discussion without trading insults.

        “As for the whole “racism” thing, liberals are the true racists. Look at abortion which affects black people more so than any other demographic. Or inner city America where liberals have controlled city hall for generations.” I suppose these are all of your nice friends who also aren’t racists. I wish you all the best of luck.

        Liked by 3 people

    3. The problem with most liberals and Democrats is they will not make any effort to really delve into seeing who Hillary Clinton has been for the last 15 years what she says in public and what she says in private are so different , Who has she accepted money from? Countries that believe in sharia law which are known for their bad treatment of women and bad treatment of gays, and that’s just one item on the list of why she is not good for this country …. she lost because she thought she had it in the bag she can blame it on Comey but if people really wanted her to win I think if you will look and see there are more registered Democrats than Republicans but they decided not to vote that day. Regarding the ACA , I can’t end this without saying ”if you pass the bill then we can see what’s in it” One of the most ignorant things Nancy Pelosi ( I think you know who that is ) has ever said! I guess
      we’ll have to wait and see how good of a job Trump does

      Like

      Reply

    4. I really feel that this ‘if you’re not with me, you’re against me’ mentality has really gone too far. I have been labeled similarly simply because I did not vote for Clinton (I voted third party) or for seeking reform in the healthcare plan (currently unaffordable for me). I believe Trump’s character is not fitting of office, however I don’t believe that I should feel guilty or be shamed for voting my conscience or for my best interest. Please open your mind to those of us who are struggling and/or fed up with the political regime instead of vilifying those who may share ideology that differs from your own. I understand that you’re angry, but let’s be respectful of one anothers’ right to think and speak freely.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Asking someone to really think hard about why they voted for someone who they know is a racist at the expense of minority groups that they are not a part of, then to ask why they need to make sure that no one else thinks that they’re like the racist that they voted for, I think, is a very important philosophical question that deserves attention by all who chose to cast their vote for this man. I don’t at all claim that Hillary was the best candidate to run. Terrible, in fact. I only want to make sure that people who voted for a man who is as controversial as Trump understands what it actually means for the subjugated groups of people that he derides. Their decesion has very serious consequences for minority groups.

        Liked by 3 people

    6. I voted for Trump and I am Hispanic, working class, my brother son is a homosexual , I my family fought in all the American wars. and I voted for Trump because I believe he is the best man for the job. Not everyone is a racist that voted for Trump. so F—you. and you bullshit go get a job.

      Like

      Reply

    7. Hey Jude, I believe the intent is about those who oppose Trump voters are the labelers. Trump voters are being bullied with help and direction from the media.
      Fear sells. Media has the corner on the market for selling using fear.

      Like

      Reply

    8. What racist statements did he make? Racist statements not arguments with certain people or his locker room crap ? I’d like to know? The only thing he said is about Radical Islamist Terrorists. I saw a program today where a Muslim Imigrant said she voted for Trump and her opinion was she is glad he differentiated Between a Muslim and a Radical Terrorist. So tell me who or what racist comment he made?

      Like

      Reply

    10. We “don’t know who you are”? Yeah, I think we do. The more you talk, the more it’s apparent. You’re the kind of blind, clueless partisan who sees the racismsexismhomophobia of Trump voters, and maybe Jim Comey, and several other excuses, behind this election loss for Democrats. Who has contempt for anybody not on your side of the aisle, and who feels the need to lecture those less evolved than you.

      The reason she “felt the need” to write this has nothing to do with “demarcating” herself from other alleged racists, but because she lives in a campus environment where people are assuming that’s what she is, exactly as you have assumed Trump voters in general are. In other words, you are a prime example of exactly the problem she was addressing.

      QED.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yes, it has been demonstrated that you are changing the discussion to make personal attacks me on the basis of me challenging the author on a certain point that has nothing to do with what my political affiliations are. Using weak inductive reasoning, you are now assigning to me the characteristics that you believe that all members of a particular group possess that you have also decided that I belong to, which- through your statements- suggests might be all people who aren’t in the group that you identify with. None of your assumptions have been correct. Interestingly, this is also the fundamental mechanism of how racism works.

        I’m sorry that for quite some time now Americans, both conservatives and liberals alike, resort to making personal attacks and name calling to invalidate a conflicting viewpoint rather than focusing on the actual content of what’s being said. There is a difference between making a contradicting statement to the substance of a person’s argument and using who they are or who you think they represent to disqualify anything that they say better known as an ad hominem attack (since you like Latin phrases).

        I maintain my position of challenging author of the article on her sense of her morality, as she did write an article to say that she’s both not a racist and a Trump supporter. Not once have I called her a racist. However, I have and will repeat that in voting for Trump, she is an accomplice to a racist. I don’t need to be a liberal or a Clinton supporter to think that. In fact, I am neither.

        I vote in elections in two different Western countries, and I consistently vote for the conservative party in the one that is not the United States. The conservative party in the United States has very little in common with the conservative party that I vote for elsewhere. This has nothing directly to do with the conservation immediately at hand, but I just wanted anyone reading to know that. With the exception of a few outliers, the consensus of the rest of the Western world, ‘conservatives’ and ‘liberals’ alike, is that the American Republican Party are very much alone in the Western world on how they define themselves as conservatives. Just about everyone else, meaning the political allies to the US, can agree on things like climate change, a separation of church and state, universal heath care and marriage equality. The notion of whether these countries have ‘freedom’ is never an issue, nor does anyone think that it should be.

        It’s funny that you should mention the phrase “less evolved” as that’s how research has shown that 52% of Trump supporters describe black people. I had actually never heard it before you used it, particularly as way to describe other people.

        I blame the shocking fact that 60.5 million people voted for a racist as the reason why the election was lost. That 60.5 million people could overlook his overt bigotry for whatever their reasons may be and pledge their support to a racist thinking that somehow his policy outweighs the spike in hate crimes against minorities groups that have occurred since his campaign was announced is what I can’t reconcile. I’m comfortable with telling every single one of those 60.5 million people that they are complicit in making the world a more dangerous place for innocent people. If they’re not comfortable hearing it, then perhaps they should have not been comfortable voting for this man.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. “I’m happy that trade and markets will once again be free.”
    Your candidate promised the opposite of this. One of the central tenets of his campaign is that free trade agreements like NAFTA and TPP were why America wasn’t winning any more, and that they would be done away with. Do you know what the FT in “NAFTA” stands for? FREE TRADE. That is the thing he said was bad at every campaign stop throughout the Midwest. He also said that he would impose stiff tariffs on trading partners like China and Mexico, a move that would close trade and markets. So do you think he was lying about that?

    “I am happy that jobs will be brought back into the United States.”
    By what mechanism is that going to happen? What specific policies or ideas did Trump offer that would lead to that happening? Because manufacturing output in the United States is higher than it has ever been. What’s down is manufacturing jobs. Some of that is from outsourcing, but more of it is from automation. The job landscape has changed, and I didn’t hear Trump offer anything to actually make these jobs magically appear. Hillary, on the other hand, proposed a very specific TPA-like jobs program that would be funded by taxes on the rich people who have been reaping all the benefits of cheaper/automated labor.

    “With that said, I am not racist, sexist, misogynistic, or homophobic.”
    The key thing here is to recognize the difference between individual bias and institutional bias. Institutional bias is the tendency for systems of power to favor in-power classes of people and show bias against out-of-power classes of people. For example, studies have shown that for job applications differing only by having a typically black name vs a typically white name, the “black” person will get called back less than the white. That’s institutional bias that makes it harder for black people to get jobs, keeps them poorer, etc. You may not personally use the N word or email around pictures of Obama drawn as a monkey or tell black people to go back to Africa. You may sincerely feel that black people aren’t more inclined to be criminals and are just as likely to be competent professionals. But enough people in the country do continue to have these kinds of biases that the system of institutional bias continues. So the fact that you aren’t personally racist? Awesome, it’s a good first step! But your friend Shaniqua still can’t get a job because she’s called Shaniqua, so your personal lack of racism doesn’t do her much good. The only thing that will help her is to push back against that particular institutional bias, and that definitely includes withholding your vote from candidates who would uphold the bias instead. You aren’t personally sexist? Great! However, you voted for a candidate who has called women pigs and slobs, groped and kissed them against their will, told a woman on his program that he’d like to see her on her knees… the list goes on. That was a vote for institutional bias that demeans and devalues women. You love the gays? Awesome! However, you voted for a candidate whose VP (who will, in all honesty, probably create a lot of his policy) thinks that gay people should be re-educated out of their gayness and that Christians should be able to refuse them service because they are just so sinful. That was a vote for institutional bias that demeans and devalues their relationships and their lives. You’re not racist? Fantastic! But you voted for a candidate who called Mexicans rapists and Muslims terrorists and black activists (the ones trying to change the institutional bias that devalues their lives) thugs. That’s a vote for institutional bias. So when people say that Trump voters are racist, sexist, homophobic? That’s what they mean. Trump voters endorsed those statements and those beliefs, keeping institutional bias and the suffering of the targeted groups firmly in place. And if you feel hurt for being called a racist, imagine how Shaniqua feels when she STILL can’t get that job. That is a far more real and lasting hurt.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. While Trump ran his platform by saying he would pull out of NAFTA, I personally did not and do not think those will be his actual actions. Again, people like me that support Trump took him seriously, not literally. At the core, Trump DOES believe in free trade. However, he, and many others, think that NAFTA is unfair to the U.S. We can see this in that within days of Trump being our president-elect, both Mexico and Canada have expressed that they would be willing to negotiate the terms of NAFTA. Also, many companies were forced to send jobs overseas due to corrupt policies by former presidents (George W. Bush included). Trump’s plan is to lower taxes for these companies and provide incentives to bring jobs back to the United States. I am a firm believer that Capitalism when carried out properly does not discriminate. If you are qualified and you produce, your race, ethnicity, gender identity etc. do not matter. You may disagree, but that is what I believe.

      Like

      Reply

      1. With regard to taking Trump’s campaign statements/promises “seriously” rather than “literally,” what about the folks who voted for him with the belief that he would do the things he promised to do in a literal sense (i.e. The Wall, deporting 11-12m people, and the proposed ban on Muslims entering the US)?

        Regarding lowering taxes for corporations in order to incentivize them to bring jobs back, many of our largest corporations already do not pay anywhere near the nominal tax rate for businesses. Being that our society is only moving towards more globalization, what are the chances that (some/all) corporations begin operating out of the United States to take advantage of lower taxes, but also keep jobs overseas in locations that allow them to maximize profit and cheaper labor? No one can predict what exactly will happen when taxes are lowered in the coming years, but we do need to be discussing the above scenario that would see corporations hold onto even more revenue, while working class Americans continue to get the shaft.

        In a vacuum, we both agree that properly instituted capitalism does lead to prosperity, but the human beings at the top of capitalistic hierarchies seem to always get caught up in looking out for themselves and lining their own pockets. In my opinion this is why heavy federal oversight is necessary, because without a system of checks this economic system can have devastating consequences for most of us.

        Liked by 3 people

  7. Jude me thinks you would take anything that was said out of context. Of course that is the method of the left. You can not beat them slander them with racist homophobe labels. You lost most of America does not think like you.

    Like

    Reply

  8. “Jobs will be back in the US” hahaha. That part really got me. The guy who does all his manufacturing overseas is supposed to bring jobs here, magically. God, you guys crack me up.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Many large companies were forced to move jobs overseas due to extremely high taxes imposed by prior presidents (former R. President, George W. Bush included). Trump wants to lower taxes on those businesses and provide incentives for businesses to bring jobs back to the U.S. I think you are missing the fact that businesses have to react to policy in order to remain in business. Trump’s plan is to change policy so that businesses can be brought back here.

      Like

      Reply

  9. Hey Cassie,

    I was just wondering if you think Reince Priebus is going to help Trump drain the swamp. Also, I read both of his tax plans. They contradict each other AND they don’t explain how he plans to put them into legislation. The one thing that they both seem to agree on is that any business small or large will be tax capped at 15%.

    You can read them here:

    Click to access trump-tax-reform.pdf

    https://www.donaldjtrump.com/policies/tax-plan/

    Like

    Reply

  10. Your post is very well articulated. Your points are well presented and I reluctantly understand your logic. However, I respectfully disagree. People of color, disabled citizens, Muslims, and members of the LGBTQ community have had a completely different experience here in America and so we do not have the privilege of simplifying such a complicated issue or reducing our vote to policy alone. Although, I myself do not feel threatened by the results of this year’s election, many people are fearful and those feelings are entirely warranted. Please do not disregard our pain because you’re offended by our commentary. It’s completely unfair. Your America is not our America. For just a moment, step outside your sense of normality and just imagine what it is like to be born and raised in a country where you are constantly belittled and treated as an outsider. Imagine living in a world where your level of education or your socioeconomic status cannot save you from danger. You are followed around grocery stores, department stores and stopped by police officers solely because the color of your skin deems you untrustworthy. Now, of course, Trump and the Republican Party are not to blame for these things. Racism and discrimination are present in both parties. Still, when you have a candidate who is blantantly racist, sexist, homophobic and shows no remorse for both his hurtful words and actions, it doesn’t seem plausible to support him just because you like the policy he represents. A vote for such a candidate literally says, “Sorry, POC, LGBTQ, Muslim and disabled American citizens. I value policy more than I value your presence in this country.” Again, I respect your argument but I’m not buying it. Don’t choose to rationalize your actions by pretending that it’s as simple as supporting policy. It’s not. It’s so much bigger than that. I accept Mr. Trump as our president elect but I cannot accept that policy outweighs the lives and safety of other human beings. I’m sorry; I just can’t.

    And by the way, I don’t think your racist/homophobic/sexist etc. but I’m hoping you’ll see a different perspective. Don’t dismiss what you cant understand. God bless!

    “What a privilege it must be to be able to look past a presidential candidate’s racism because it won’t ever affect you.”

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Why is everyone so quick to overlook Hillary Clinton’s ties to racist organizations? The late Senator Robert Byrd, Klu Klux Clan grand wizard, and outspoken racist was greatly admired by Clinton. Clinton referred to Byrd as her “great friend and mentor.” How about Margaret Sanger – the founder of the organization that would eventually become Planned Parenthood. She is quoted as saying “black people are human weeds and need to be exterminated” – One of the goals of Sanger’s abortion programs. Hillary Clinton is quoted as saying she “admires Sanger greatly – her courage, her vision, her tenacity”. Not to mention The Clinton Foundation’s quick willingness to accept millions of dollars from dictatorship nations that have it in their policy to execute homosexuals, dictate what women wear and if they go to school, and ruthlessy silence any citizen that dares disagree with those policies. Donald Trump has said some provocative things, but come on. There is such a double standard here it makes me want to puke.

      Let’s not forget – Donald Trump was in favor of marriage equality back when Hillary and Barack were still claiming marriage should be between a man and a woman – because that’s the direction the political winds were blowing at the time.

      You people need to understand – when your candidate’s strategy is to be condescending to half of the country, and label that half racist, sexist, homophobic bigots…there will be backlash. And you may lose the election because of it. Which is exactly what happened this year. Accept the result and find where you can hold yourselves accountable for subscribing to the same strategy…
      Which you are still employing by the way.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  11. Save the holier than thou please. Who are you as a person of equal blood and bone to judge. They who are free of sin cast the firt stone. So please after all we know of the Clintons and the cartel that engulfs Washington of smug lies and unfathumable corruption for the last twenty plus years Trump will go down as the way lesser of many evils in the end here. Millions of people of all races and religions voted for our president elect that don’t believe him to be the things push by far left payed for media. People deserve a chance he deserves a chance. There is a great rebellion problem is you missed it.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Paul we have indeed seen people express frustration at the status quo that has existed in DC for decades. My only concern is that Trump turns out to not be the champion the everyday Americans are so desperately seeking.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. What is your view on climate change? Trump thinks it is a hoax. My deepest fears about his presidency is that we won’t be able to prevent massive drilling on public lands, unchecked use of fossil fuels. Coal mining? Really? Deforestation, massive extinctions of animals, sea life. What will you say to your children when they n a wasteland.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

Leave a comment