Fear 2016

I was going to write about veterans and how proud I am to be the son of a great one. But then it occurred to me … how can I write about veterans and how I proud I am to be an American when clearly many in this nation doesn't give a damn about me.

Hell … I wasn’t even sure if I was going to write a column at all after what happened last night. There are people I know who will never understand my disappointment at the result of the election. At first I was afraid to step on anyone’s toes, to upset some of those Trump supporters that I care about. But as cliché as it sounds, one of the most important quotes for me today is: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Ironically, that’s a quote by Edmund Burke, a politician, philosopher and statesman often regarded as the father of modern conservatism.

So let’s talk about last night. Let’s talk about America and how we decided to elect a reality TV star.

I've already heard all the rationalizations. “I couldn't vote for Hillary.” But see here's the thing: You didn't vote against Hillary Clinton, you voted FOR Donald Trump. You cannot escape that. When you shaded in that circle next to Trump's name, you voted for a man who ran a campaign in which he called Mexicans rapists, where he pledged to ban all Muslims from entering the U.S. and even promised mass deportations.

I can go on and on with a list of things Trump did and said that I disagree with, but fortunately I have limited space and time to spend on this issue today. Even with all the wrongs Clinton is alleged to have committed, I see this as nothing more than yet another example of an unqualified man getting a job over a more qualified woman.

But hey, congratulations America, you voted for a man that's in WWE's wrestling Hall of Fame.

And now I'm scared. Not only for myself but for all of my friends. Because half of the country has openly voted for the oppression of LGBT, minority and women’s rights. I think there are people who truly don’t understand this. I am petrified that the America I live in will reject my niece and nephew simply because they are perceived as “lesser than” because they’re black. And you know what … that’s my reality. It’s the reality that has caused many to lose hope today.

Think about this for a second – our first black president will have to hand over the White House to someone endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan.

I'll write that sentence one more time so it can sink in.

Our first black president will have to hand over the White House to someone endorsed by the Ku Klux Klan.

And I know I'm talking to a wall (“that Mexico will pay for!” if you believe Trump), considering the town where I live and work. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't use my voice.

I have always considered myself an outsider after moving into Gonzales, Texas. I’ve long felt like just some military brat Puerto Rican coming into a conservative small town that tends to help their own. But now I feel like an outsider in my country. And that’s just sad.

Let me be clear, this is not some sort of post-election endorsement of Clinton. If you've been reading our paper, I haven't said a word on the candidate who earned my vote. Yet every time I’ve talked to someone about the election, if anything negative is said about Trump, there’s always a deflection. “Clinton’s evil! What about Benghazi? OMG those emails!” The best argument I heard when it came to voting Trump is that it wasn’t a vote for Hillary. Another rationalization I heard was “I have to stick with my party.” Except that the party of fiscal responsibility just elected a person we have no idea about his fiscally responsibility, because he never released his tax returns — something no major party nominee refused to do since Gerald Ford. I’d like to say I admire the amount of loyalty for a man Trump voters don’t personally know, but I see it all the time in sports, so it shouldn’t surprise me.

The deed is done. Donald “grab them by the [expletive]” Trump is our President-Elect. And now I'm scared how this will affect the lives of my LGBT, minority and women friends and family. My feeling is, if you’re white and that doesn’t scare you, pay attention, because this is the definition of white privilege. Because to most of the people who feel the way I do, white people will be just fine, unless of course they are part of the 22 million who will lose healthcare coverage if Trump and the rest of Congress repeal Obamacare.

“I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to 'order' than to justice.” - Dr. Martin Luther King.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with me? I want to hear your voice. We at the Inquirer want to hear your opinion. This has been a long and divisive election season. If you’re happy with America’s choice, please write a rebuttal that explains your point of view. If you’d like to add your comments, please do so on Facebook or send a letter to the editor. Please avoid using profanity, as we’d like to publish all the opinions we receive either in print or online.