For better or worse, my thoughts at the moment of the election

I’ve never despised Trump supporters. Throughout this election, I have sought to listen to his supporters, to listen to the conservative argument, and to actually form an informed opinion, because as a liberally raised person, I don’t hear this often.

But in some sense, my decision has been so stupidly obvious it’s not funny. Every classmate, every friend, every youTuber, every newspaper, every person who I respect and every mind that I admire has shown either support for Hillary or a candidate other than Trump. I’ve watched the candidates’ debate, I’ve considered their histories, and I’ve reached this conclusion for myself.

However, this is not the conclusion that the people of the United States of America have chosen. They have chosen Trump, despite all the arguments against him, despite what all the people whom I trust with authority told them. And I don’t know what to say.

I’ve spent my entire life in the pursuit of knowledge and reasoning. I have the joy of waking up every day and learning alongside students and professors who have done the same. But the presidency is determined by a popularity contest, not by logic or reason. Now I get to watch all these smart people cry when they ask what will happen to the environment, to scientific progress, to others besides straight white males, to our nation, and to our world. I cry with them because I don’t know what’s going to happen either with a president who’s done all the things that Trump has.

So, to those who elected Trump, I hope you’re happy. I hope that your vote for Trump was more educated than my vote for Hillary, despite the Ivy League education of myself and the people I know. Because that’s what this election’s outcome feels like to me; a vote against intelligence, reason, and those who pursue it.

I welcome any thoughtful argument as to why Trump should be President, as opposed to Hillary. Good luck finding one.