Ari, 15: I am worried and baffled by Trump’s re-election. I don’t have citizenship and am in the U.S. as part of a program that gives Ukrainian refugees parole for two years at a time. Will Trump end this program? Trump being a fan of Putin makes me worry about my home. The U.S. has been an ally of Ukraine, and that very well may change.
I don’t understand who Trump is or what he’s going to do. His presidency threatens me as a woman because he could end access to abortion and contraceptives. Trump has also called for elimination of the Department of Education, and I’m in a public school that has an advanced curriculum that allows me to achieve in this country. My family lost everything in Ukraine and can’t afford private school here.
Anonymous, 16: A lot of people were crying in the cafeteria this morning [November 6], and my teachers couldn’t stop talking about the election results in class. Students of color expressed worries about getting deported; I heard at least 10 times, “Have you packed your bags yet?”
I think my classmates are exaggerating, that they can’t really deport us all. I do share their worries about our parents paying more taxes and also that financial aid for college will be cut.
My parents voted for Trump, and we’ve talked about it a little. They say he’s Christian, and they like that. I’ve pointed out that he’s a rapist and a felon, but we just talk past each other, so I avoid those conversations.
Kids at my school are very outspoken and the conversation always gets messy, so I keep my opinions to myself at school too. I have a friend in student government who’s a Trump supporter, and we just don’t talk politics. I’m trying to focus on school at school.
Grace, 17: When I heard the election results, my heart ached for the countless grieving Americans, but especially for the next generation’s educational opportunities. I could only think about Donald Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department of Education, ban transgender females from participating in school sports, and cut off funding to institutions teaching vaguely defined gender- or race-based “ideologies.”
My dreams of higher education as a low-income student are contingent on the FAFSA and federal financial aid and scholarships, which are currently run by the DOE. Losing those funds would be devastating for me and many other students.
Beyond the financials, what will happen to schools with limited student expression? Students who consider school a place for freedom of self-expression could be silenced by authoritarian laws.
Luck, 17: When I heard Trump won, I thought, “What about the trans kids, the gay kids, the Hispanics and other people of color? What will happen to us?” For a moment, I was afraid everything would change and I would have to go back in the closet. (I’m LGBTQ.) But I remembered that we’ve been through this before, and we just need to group up and protect each other. If we have our community, nothing can break us.
I fear that everything we know to be an essential right will be subjective under Trump’s second administration.
We have our voice, we can speak out, talk about it, write about it. As long as we speak up, a movement will occur. I tell younger kids about The Trevor Project, which answers a lot of questions and offers support.
Sama, 16: With this election season, the misogyny and racism that exists in American society has never been more scarring. From the minute Kamala Harris entered the race, the public’s focus shifted from the effectiveness of her policies to her personal identity. I find it deeply disturbing that her femininity and heritage undermines her capability in the eyes of numerous politicians and voters; if this can happen in the 21st century, I’m fearful for what my future holds. Within these past few months, this country has made it obvious that women, especially women of color, have to push for power more than ever before. As the right to abortion and birth control becomes more vulnerable and uncertain, I see this election as a call to action, not as defeat.
My mom always tells me that the biggest blessing of being American is the freedom granted to every citizen. I’m thankful for and inspired by women across the country, like Kamala Harris, who work relentlessly to make this a reality for females in the U.S.
Iylena, 17: I wasn’t expecting Harris to win. I was hoping she would. I feel like we’re still battling this war of human rights, generations later, and that’s sad to me. I hope one day we can win this ongoing battle and learn to accept everyone as who they are. The Black, LGTBQ+, Latino and women who voted for him set us back so many years that the fight we’re in is not going to be completed.
Anonymous, 17: My family moved from Ukraine to the United States two years ago. So foreign policy, especially the war in Ukraine, was my top issue. The war would end soon anyway, no matter who was president, and Trump’s refusal to fund Ukraine may end it sooner. And I want the war to end; it’s just death.
I also think we’re heading to a huge war in the Middle East, and Trump will pour even more money into Israel, money that could have funded infrastructure here. My number two issue is the economy. Harris had a good plan; I liked the tax credit for first-time homebuyers because this country has a major housing issue. Trump’s tariffs will raise prices on anything that’s manufactured outside America.
Rylynn, 17: I was optimistic about the idea of a Black, female president. When I heard the result, I couldn’t believe it. It felt so obvious to vote for Harris, and I’m so disappointed in the country I live in. I thought we’d moved past the days when a woman couldn’t be president.
I’m worried about all the women I know, the LGBTQ people, and their rights. I hear about anti-trans laws in other states and that scares me.
Dorcas, 16: Honestly, I’m drained, frustrated, and mournful, but not surprised. I’m not a fan of either candidate, but if anything, the more qualified person deserves the win and Kamala was obviously more competent, experienced and firm regarding policies than Trump. The results were disappointing but it made me rethink my own political views. Just seeing the large number of abstainers among young and Black voters made me think, do I seriously want to be politically idle? This was actually the first time that I felt compelled to vote in future elections. My vote, especially because I live in New York wouldn’t count as much compared to, let’s say, Ohio but knowing that I’m fulfilling a duty that many have fought for warms my heart.
Jinx, 16: Trump’s win felt almost inevitable, and that makes me hopeless. I’m questioning if America will ever elect a woman president, if this election cycle was ever going to work out in the incumbents’ favor, if America’s trend towards cultural conservatism will end anytime soon.
I’m lucky to live in New York, where reproductive rights are now enshrined in the state constitution. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to live in other states where abortion has just been made completely illegal.
I fear that everything we know to be an essential right will be subjective under Trump’s second administration. I’m terrified.