Donald Trump has been declared US president-elect after the results from Tuesday's election revealed that he won 276 electoral votes and Clinton won 228. On a deeper analysis of polls, Bloomberg found that had only Millennials voted, Clinton would have won in a landslide. We spoke to One Young World Ambassadors from across the globe about their thoughts on the results and what their hopes are for the future.
Lourdes Rivery, Washington, DC
I felt dumbfounded on the evening of Tuesday, November 8, 2016 as the results began to forecast that Donald J. Trump would be the next POTUS. My heart grows heavy with fear, grief and anxiety. I’ve been left feeling adrift in this nation, and it’s very disconcerting. Trump has insulted minorities, women, and even veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice – risking their lives in the line of duty for our beautiful America. We must remain united and as strong as ever to ensure that we continue to strive towards the progressive ideals which have already made this country a great one to live in.
Chris Senesi, Boulder, CO, USA
On both sides, there was strong support for each candidate and when we have such a close race, it can be tough to cope with the results. However, the election is over and now we need to move on together. I have heard and seen a lot of positive discussion on the topic of “working together”, “unifying our country and the world”, and “taking action,” both from my personal network as well as global leaders. Seeing this type of talk and resilience after an election like this, I believe is what defines our world. I am hopeful for the future and believe that our generation will use this election as a catalyst to standup and continue to make positive change both in the United States and around the world.
Allishia Bauman, Jacksonville, FL, USA
I am disappointed in our country. I am angry because as soon as we take one step forward, we are taking two steps back. I fear for those who do not have the privileges that I do as a straight, white woman. Having to tell my black husband to be careful when leaving for work in the morning is in no way comforting; it is terrifying. Hate, bigotry and regression will not and cannot win. I will use my anger, fear and sadness to push for a better America so that everyone can feel like they have the right to the pursuit of true happiness.
Christopher Shacklady, Atlanta, GA, USA
The Millennial voter base spoke out through social media, word of mouth and advocacy - all the tools at our disposal. But alas, we were not the majority. The people who wanted the change were part of the older demographic for the most part. It is a hard knock - but it's just a wake up call that we need to work harder. Some are not going to listen but we have to find a way to break through the communication gaps of the generations and provide facts in a way that people will listen and not deny blindly as smear campaigning.
Devin Nash, Boston, MA, USA
On the morning of November 9, I watched the sunrise in my homeland that now feels foreign to me, but it is my homeland nonetheless. And as I faced my country and my world's new reality, I contemplated the way forward – because we must move forward. Let us take a pause for reflection and learning – but then let us take responsibility and let us take action. Our beautiful democracy demands our involvement, not just every four years, but consistently.
Meron Semedar, San Francisco, CA, USA
The people have spoken, and we have to respect democracy and accept Donald Trump as the President elect of the United States. I live in the liberal state of California where Hillary Clinton took all 54 Electoral College votes; many of the young people, immigrants, people of colour, African Americans, and Muslim and LGBT communities are angry at the result. I hope President Trump listens to the voices of the American people seeking for unity in a divided America. I hope he lives up to his expectations as a leader of the free world, and embodies an example of democracy, respect for human rights, liberty and freedom for all Americans and the rest of the world.
Charlie Oliver, UK
Brexit should have been a wake up call for all western democracies. In most of these countries, you find large groups of people that feel like their standard of living and incomes are declining, their place in society is being marginalised, and that their governments are doing little to change that. What this means for One Young World Ambassadors is that we must sharpen our focus in leading in our communities, to seek further inclusion, collaboration and social enterprise. Ultimately, it is our generation that will have to deal with the consequences if we allow the drivers of this malcontent to spiral.
Barkha Mossae, Mauritius
As an advocate for sustainable development and for small islands, the outcome of the presidential elections is far from ideal; instead of a candidate who has an understanding of how complex global challenges are, we have someone who has openly declared that he would derail progress on climate change.What's more, the outcome is profoundly troubling for women everywhere - and empowering women is key to solving our biggest climate and natural resource challenges. But there's something else which this election has shown: more than ever, it's upon us to respond to such events with greater love, courage, understanding and hope. We now have to build an even greater community of Millennials, non-Millennials, scientists, businesses and leaders who care about the environment, understand what complex issues affect the health of our earth and oceans, and build consolidated actions around them. It's not time to break down and panic.
Alexander Lange, Germany
I, like many people in Germany, am deeply shocked by the outcome of the US election. To be honest, today I am more scared about the future than ever before. What I fear most is that the positive and necessary path that was chosen for our planet at the COP21 meeting in Paris will be reversed, leading to the destruction of our environment.
Taffan Ako Sharif, Kurdistan
I do hope that people in America unite more than ever and that despite this outcome, they will use peaceful democratic tools. I hope to be proven wrong about Trump. Wishing him bad luck and an unsuccessful presidency isn't productive. We are all in this boat together. Trump's foreign policy will be impact lives across the globe. It will be very interesting and nerve-wracking to see how he will approach the most pressing issues in the world.
Indy Hothi, UK
As a Millennial from the UK, I can draw a lot of comparisons of the US election result to the EU referendum. Trump's ability and policies as a president remains to be seen but his divisive approach to the Whitehouse has deeply troubled me. Increasingly we’re seeing divides in our communities like never before and Donald Trump's run up to the election has validated so much bigotry and hateful behaviour, not just across America, but the globe. As Millennials, I think it’s essential not to barricade ourselves with hate but embrace compassion, understanding and humanity more than ever before. This result, if anything, has given me more of a drive and incentive to be the positive change I want to see in this world.
Francois Reyes, France
Dialogue was broken already when the campaign started, but the gap between communities became wider and wider, and it's not helping. The youth have to come together now, and act as the link between all communities. That's the only way we can move forward.
What do you have to say about the US election? Join the conversation @OneYoungWorld.
