As people prepare for Donald Trump to take the white house in January, a concern for many people are, “will we be safe.”
During Trump’s campaign, many minorities, groups and systems were attacked. We hope that as we dive into some critical issue The Runner can offer a bit of light in the darkness.
Department of Education by Melissa Jorge
The federal Department of Education is a target of abolishment during Donald Trump’s administration. With Trump’s administration successfully removing Obamas guidance aimed to ensure schools will not unfairly disciplines students of color, during his last term, his party now expects Joe Bidens Title IX regulation to be one of his first targets when he is in office. Previously when the Republicans controlled congress, his proposal to slash the Education Department budget by as much as 13 percent and remove popular programs were rejected. After pledging to cut federal funding to those schools who focus on teaching critical race theory, Trump beyond that has barely acknowledged education during the campaign trial. In brighter light, no president has come close to being able to succeed in the promise of eliminating the Department of Education. Furthermore, Trump would need approval from Congress as well as a large sum of political capital in order to fulfill this plan.
LGBTQ+ Community by Jocelynn Landon
For the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender people, there has been an increased target on them since the start of this election season. Under Trump’s Agenda 47, LGBTQ+ rights could be stripped away in areas such as banning gender-affirming care for minors and cutting funding to hospitals providing such care. On day one, Trump said he’d reverse Title IX protections and would be “keeping men out of women’s sports.” He also spoke about cutting funding for schools promoting gender-related topics.
The Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ youth, has had an increase volume of people reaching out in crisis. On Nov. 6, they reported a 700% increase compared to prior weeks, and a 125% increase in crisis contacts on election morning.
Despite fears about the future, there is hope. The Trevor Project offers support 24/7 via chat, phone or text. In California voters recently passed ballot measures to ensure the freedom of marriage in the state constitution. At Cal State Bakersfield, the Safe Zone program helps establish visible allies on campus, and students can visit the MAGEC center for an LGBTQ+ safe room or join the CSUB LGBTQ+ Network. And lastly, for folks who are seeking a safe community in Kern County, The Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, offers a space with a calendar filled with events from meditation to book club for various ages, groups, and interests. They also offer clothing swaps, LGBTQIA+ AA meetings and various workshops.
Women’s Rights by Ashlie Whitaker
During Trump’s administration, three conservative Supreme Court justices were appointed, which caused the bench to shift from moderate to overwhelmingly conservative.
This outcome influenced the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and will continue to impact women’s rights for generations. Despite Trump’s history of personal attacks against women, sexist rhetoric and sexual abuse allegations, Trump says he will be a protector of women.
In response to election results, liberal women have taken to social media to express their anguish about how a Trump presidency will affect their futures.
Inspired by the 4B movement in South Korea, where women began swearing off men in protest of conservative leadership and pursuit of equal rights, some US women have suggested a similar plan of action. The pushback received on the topic of a woman’s bodily autonomy have come in the form of phrases like, “your body, my choice,” and “get back in the kitchen,” ideas that reinforce conservative gender roles rather than allow for progression.
This is a movement of protest that comes from being enraged after the fact that a majority of men, 55%, voted for a candidate who is found liable for sexual assault according to the NBC national exit poll.
Immigration by Brittany Oceguera
Throughout his campaign, Trump has promised to launch the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” He has falsely stated numerous times that immigrants came from prisons and insane asylums from their home country. His plan consists of expanding the immigration measures from his first presidency term. Trump plans to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—which allows summary deportations of non-citizens from foreign enemy countries. Immigration experts fear that this act could result in U.S. citizens being wrongfully detained or deported.
Taxpayers could pay about $20 billion for just one million people to be deported, Trump has promised to deport at least 11 million undocumented immigrants.
Trump indicated that he plans to get rid of DACA, which he tried and failed to do during his first term. He also plans to use local and state police to assist ICE in roundups.
California Governor, Gavin Newson announced on Nov. 7 a special session of the California Legislator to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration,” among those fundamental rights is the protection of immigrant families.
