– This morning I had a lump in my stomach because I don’t know what will happen in the next four years, says student Aliya (18). Her parents emigrated from Senegal. She finds it terrifying to think that she will live in a United States with Donald Trump as president again. – Unfortunately, I think I fit into many of the categories that Trump does not like. Just by being a woman of color and a Muslim, says the student. Donald Trump has promised to reinstate his previous policy against illegal border crossings and remove Joe Biden’s more open immigration policy. Donald Trump has made several controversial statements during this year’s election campaign. Photo: Alex Brandon / AP He is planning extensive austerity measures, including limiting access to asylum at the US-Mexico border and carrying out the largest deportation in US history, writes Reuters. Aliya believes there are many countries it would be better for her to live in. – At least when it comes to matters such as healthcare, reproductive freedom and women’s rights. Key swing state Aliya is one of many students at the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus who are disappointed by yesterday’s election results. On Wednesday morning Norwegian time, it became clear that Trump will be the next president of the United States. The university is located in the state of Pennsylvania, which is one of several important states that often stand on the edge between Republican and Democratic electoral victory. Pennsylvania went to Trump and the Republicans this year. In 2020, it was Biden and the Democrats who got the voters. – It’s almost like I don’t want to stay here. But I have dual citizenship, says the physics student. Several of the young students news has spoken to do not want to give their last name. Young men do not feel represented – I would say that not enough emphasis has been placed on understanding the needs of those who voted for Trump, says Branden (18) about why Harris lost the election. This year his vote went to Harris and the Democrats. But until January 6, 2021, he supported Trump. He justifies the change by saying that it was important to prioritize democracy. Now he also works in the Harris campaign. DEFEAT: Politics student Branden believes there are several reasons why Harris and the Democrats lost victory this year. Photo: Ismail Burak Akkan The political student points, like several others, to the group of young, white and single men as a group of voters Harris lost at the finish line. When you don’t reach out to these male voters who could have voted for Harris, you lose a lot, according to Branden. – They necessarily don’t feel very well represented, especially when a lot is about the abortion issue and women’s rights, he says and adds: – Don’t get me wrong, these are of course extremely important issues that need to be promoted. From Democrat to Republican Other young people have turned the other way. Voter Eli Carranza voted blue four years ago, but is now sure that it is Trump who can give him the best future. He and Patrick attended the Republican’s vigil in Atlanta. Georgia was also one of the most important swing states on election night – which ultimately ended in victory for Trump. GEORGIA ELECTION WATCH: Eli Carranza and Patrick are both gay and are voting Trump. Photo: Gry Blekastad Almås – I haven’t always voted for Trump, but after what I’ve seen in recent years, I think it’s going to get better, says Carrenza. Fearing more hate Back at the University of Pittsburgh, Hunter (18) is afraid of how Trump as president will affect the lives of minorities such as people of color, women and LGBTQ people. ELECTION: Environmental student Hunter fears a more hateful society when Trump becomes president again. Photo: Ismail Burak Akkan Crisis hotlines for LGBT people in the US say they have noticed a significant increase in calls just before the election and after Trump’s victory on Tuesday. The Rainbow Youth Project says they have already received more calls in six days in November than they receive on average in a whole month, writes the Washington Post. The Trevor Project, which mainly focuses on preventing suicide among LGBT+ youth, says it has recorded a 125 percent increase in the number of phone calls, text messages and chat inquiries on election day and the day after, when it was known that former President Donald Trump had secured himself another term in the White House. Hunter fears that Trump will contribute to more hatred towards women, partly because she believes he has a great influence on how people think. RIGHTS: Hunter is afraid many basic rights will disappear with Trump as president. Photo: Ismail Burak Akkan The student highlights, among other things, Trump’s comments about women and the restriction of the right to free abortion: – And as a queer, I am afraid that people will think that I am some kind of monster, says Hunter. – Not what we wanted On Wednesday evening, Harris spoke to the people, and at the same time acknowledged the election defeat. – The outcome is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, and not what we voted for, she said during the speech. One of the messages was that she should never give up the fight for a future where Americans can dream and have ambitions. Harris particularly highlighted women’s right to be able to decide over their own bodies. Published 07.11.2024, at 06.55 Updated 07.11.2024, at 07.26
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