The University's political and social organizations are speaking out about their thoughts on America’s President-Elect Donald Trump.
Troy Beckham, member of Young Americans for Liberty, said Trump’s election put the Republican Party in a position of action.
“I feel now that Trump has won along with Republicans in the House and Senate, the party has a rare opportunity to put forth some legislation and see some form of change,” Beckham said. “I think if they want to prove themselves they'll do just that, instead of having a lame duck type of session.”
Branden Belser, member of the College Republicans, said he hoped Donald Trump would bring a “permanent change” to the political establishment in America.
“As far as campaigning styles are concerned, I feel like the major difference between Trump's style and Clinton's, or previous candidates from either party, is the sheer honesty he portrayed," Belser said. "Donald Trump was not and is not a politician. He is a business man and he never tried to convince any person otherwise.”
Trump's lack of political experience does not put him at a loss, Belser said.
“Some American citizens… feel as though Trump's lack of political experience will be a major detriment for his policy making and leadership abilities, but I would have to disagree," Belser said. "In his time as an entrepreneur and businessman, Trump has had a few failures but many successes.”
Emily Hale, member of the College Democrats, said the Democratic Party’s loss could be attributed to its failure to appeal to rural white Americans.
The party “should have taken [Trump] seriously” rather than expecting to win in a landslide, Hale said.
“The party needed to address the populist strain that was evident in Trumps’ popularity," Hale said. "More specifically, this attitude rejects the national discontent with moneyed interests and increasing income inequality.”
Hale said this election should encourage healing within the Democratic Party.
“Democrats cannot continue to represent ourselves as the party for the working class, but continue to cater to corporate America," Hale said. "This election was a direct call for the party to reconcile its ties and the perceptions that the electorate has with establishment and big money politics.”
Kayla Warner, Black Student Union president, said she's disappointed in the election results.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not discouraged," Warner said. "I think there are things that we still need to do. We still need to make a change, but this doesn’t define the rest of the fight for us.”
Warner said Americans must continue to fight for social justice.
“I’m more concerned with the climate that has been normalized, with the ideas that have been normalized, that we’ve created an environment where people think that it’s okay to say things that are inflammatory…and not be chastised," Warner said. "We have to keep going, we have to keep fighting for social justice.”
Erin Walker of SPECTRUM, Auburn’s gay-straight alliance, said now would be the time for LGBTQI+ individuals to stand together against discrimination.
"When one considers the political impact the election could have on the well-being of gender, sexual and romantic minorities, it would be easy to allow oneself to enter into a state of fear and worry," Walker said. "There is, however, another reaction which I would encourage both the GSRM populations and all other marginalized groups to consider."
Warner said Americans have the ability to use external pressures to the benefit the country.
"The changing conditions of the country urge us to step into our authenticity, become our greatest versions and band together to support our fellow beings," Walker said. "It would be easy to suppress who we are out of fear, but this catalyst provides an excellent opportunity to promote unity instead of division.”
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