Disclaimer: AWC is about to get unusually serious. And political. Hold yo’ panties up.
The pits in my stomach woke me up at 6 am (Central European Time) on the morning of November 9th. It was impossible to sleep with the excitement lingering in the back of my sleepy brain; “Who will be the next US President?!” I roll over and look at my phone, expecting to see my homegirl’s name on the CNN update. My stomach drops.
What the f***.
Trump is in the lead by 30 electoral points. In my dreamy state, so far removed by the Atlantic Ocean, I thought it was a horrible, horrible, nightmare. I frantically search for other news sources, hoping that those fiery, carrot-top colored red numbers were a typo.
What the actual f***, America.
Those were the only words I could get out. The only illiterate four words that seemed to make sense. Has my country, the country I represent proudly as I travel the world, introducing myself with my proud (very obvious) American accent, gotten THIS desperate?
Within the next hour, my phone was flooded with texts from my Spanish friends. “Que coño ha pasado con tu país?” “Trump, tía? Yo pensaba que toda era broma”. “En serio?”
Translation: “What the fuck happened to your country?” “Trump? I thought it was all a joke.” “Seriously?”
Yes mis amigos. I thought the same.
I left for work and boarded Granada’s public bus. On the phone with my mom discussing the recent catastrophic events, I got looks shot across the bus at me like bullets, coming from everyone. That pit in my stomach came back.
For the first time in my life, I was embarrassed of my accent.
I heard murmuring on the bus coming from every direction. Trump’s name echoed from seat to seat, as I just sat there and took it all in. These two young girls next to me were doubled over their phones, scrolling through their news feeds, exchanging periodic comments of “No me lo puedo creer” (I can’t believe it.) Then, the girl on the right said this: “Que bien que no somos Americanas, tía.”
“It’s so good that we’re not Americans.”
If my stomach was already to the floor, it dropped about 5,000 meters to the Earth’s damn crust. Ya’ know; where the lava is. That fiery red stuff, that can kill you if you touch it.
Metaphor? Maybe.
I entered work. Here’s what the teachers had to say:
In the afternoon, I met with a journalist from IDEAL Granada, who wanted to conduct an interview on how we, Americans in Granada, feel about the day. In summation of the emotional interview, I told him this:
My next blog post will be, “How to Flee Trump and Move to Spain.”
I know what you’re thinking: “Woah, woah, wait a minute! Isn’t this post I’m reading right now your next blog post?
Very good kids! You’re right. After a 24-hour period of feeling anger, disbelief, shock, confusion, and overall deep sadness for my country, I decided to write this article instead. A ranting mush of my feelings, Spain’s feelings, and this realization:
I realized we can’t flee. Those who are in the country and feel as strongly as I do about race equality, gender equality and human rights, must stay and fight for what is right. If we flee, he wins. He becomes the leader of a nation who voted for him. Who voted to ban immigration, in a country made up of immigrants. We must fight the fire and extinguish that flaming red head of his.
As I’m not in the US, I am going to do my best to fight for what is right across seas, virtually, and spread the word on the other side of the Atlantic. Besides, I’m walking, talking Mexican food for god sake…I want to be allowed back in my country!
So please, wherever you are in the world: next time you are walking down the streets or on a bus, and hear someone question Trump and America’s values, share this with them. And remind them of this:
The USA is the world’s melting pot. A country of Blacks, Whites, Muslims, Gays, Straights, Transgenders, Latinos, Pink, Yellow, Purple. We all came here for a better life at some point through America’s history. And we are not going to let that go into flames.
Watch this video I made last summer of our very diverse, proud NYC. And please, do your part and share.
Congratulations for your post. That’s the reality of the USA. a great melting pot. No matter Clinton or Trump, you’re a great nation.
Thank you Jorge- that means a lot. Trump or no Trump, we will continue to fight for what this nation was built of!
You are sharing the “pit in the stomach” feeling with more than 60 million Americans today, Casie. For the past 24 hours I actually thought something was growing in my belly because it felt so bad. I’m still in shock! However, I am an optimist. Plus I realize we can bring order and reason back in 4 years. Trump met with Obama at the White House today for 90 minutes. Trump said he wished it was longer, and he praised Obama, calling him a good man several times to the press. “Pit” feeling easing just a bit now as Trump is acting presidential, and saying all the right things. The one consolation prize, Hillary won the popular vote! Lets get rid of the Electoral College! Viva America! Your fanatical follower in Jersey, and lover of all things Spanish, John Reid
Hey John- Yes, day by day the pit (very slowly) seems to diminish. As long as we continue to fight for what we believe in , (aka HUMAN RIGHTS, EQUALITY) then we will not let our beautiful “land of freedom” collapse! Doing my part to spread the knowledge and love from over here in happy España 🙂 Stay positive!
Hillary Clinton matched President Obama’s historically low percentage of the Jewish vote, driving a third of Jews into the Republican camp, an unheard of percentage before Obama’s pro-Iran policies. Obama also turned Jews off by his blatant personal antipathy to Israel’s prime minister, so the question was whether Jews would come back as a voting bloc for Clinton, who is thought of as a friend to Israel by many Jews, merely by association with her husband.
The answer is no, Jews did not return to the Democratic fold.
The retired Democratic Jews of Florida were a crucial demographic Clinton had to carry, and she didn’t, according to Lori Lowenthal Marcus, co-founder of jewschoosetrump.org.
Very interesting stats. All I can say, is that she carried this Jew! It’s unfortunate that she couldn’t pull the Jewish vote, and rather surprising when looking at the alternative. Now all we can do is hope for the best!
just returned from Haiti, if you wish to see the Clinton’s handiwork please go there, its beyond the pale gi
I am a U.S. citizen moving to Spain. I have been unable to fond any US Expats in Spain online. I am looking for someone who did not get their Spanish Visa through an employer but who is retired like I am.
How exciting that you’re moving to Spain! Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone personally who has gotten a retirement visa. I recommend you check out this website “Spain Guru” (http://spainguru.es/), which specializes in helping foreigners figure out visa issues and processes. I hope they can help you!! Good luck on your move. 🙂
-Casie (AWC)