Let’s be totally honest here: While economic anxiety did indeed play a part in the election of Donald Trump as President, racism, Islamophobia, and xenophobia were also partially responsible for the sudden rise of Trump from a large field of Republican contenders. And now he will be the next occupant of the Oval Office.
As a result of Trump’s election, many people of color–most notably African-Americans and Hispanics–those of the Muslim faith, women, and LGBT Americans, now live in the fear that they are potential targets in Trump’s brave new world where the alt-right makes alliances with anti-Semites, neo Nazis, and the KKK.
A new symbol has been born as a result of the fear which is rippling across many communities in this country. It’s simple but profound: Wearing a safety pin on your clothing. By doing so, many people are openly declaring that they are allied with groups Trump has verbally attacked over the course of the 2016 campaign.
I am a safe place ♡#SafetyPin #Ally #LOVE pic.twitter.com/65GKedN3wm
— Samantha Gruber (@Sam_E_Gruber) November 11, 2016
With this very quiet gesture, many Americans are making a brave statement that they stand in total solidarity with anyone who might be afraid in the nation Trump will soon lead.
The idea is quickly catching on, especially on social media, where a growing number of people are posting photos of themselves and declaring they are “safe places.” They are also showing their solidarity and support for women, people of color, and many other marginalized groups who are, first and foremost, our neighbors and entitled to the same protections the Constitution affords us all.
It has been said many times in many places over the course of this election, but it bears repeating each and every day by all of us who care about our country: Love trumps hate. Always has and, with us all working together, it always will.
#SafetyPin I support solidarity & intollerance for hate, stand for your right to be who you are, I am an ally #IStandWithYou #LoveTrumpsHate pic.twitter.com/OERZRWDssr
— Nina (@ninasthinking) November 11, 2016
h/t Huffington Post
This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org