On my tenth day in the USA, I decided to attend a Trump
rally in Austin. Thinking about that now and remembering what I experienced, I
didn’t enjoy my time there yet I definitely do not regret going. The experience
opened my eyes. The media often portrayed Trump’s rallies as being relatively
light-hearted; the press would specifically highlight some of his infamous
syntax whilst I’d watch on my screen in my little bubble that was safely away
from Trump. As a consequence, I approached the rally reasonably excited,
expecting that I would be met with that same light-heartedness. I was
completely wrong. Instead, I felt this dark and tense atmosphere that was
tainted with anger and resentment towards a current America that many seemed to
detest. I remember how red hats were dotted around the crowd and there were USA
chants echoing in the room; my friends and I sat at the back where we attempted to stay
out of sight. Before I decided to leave, Trump said softly "Isn't
there no safer place to be than in a Trump rally in the heart of Texas?"
and I remember thinking the complete opposite. I hoped that this was not the
America or Austin that I would experience for the next ten months.
Saturday 21st January highlighted
how that is not the America or Austin I am currently witnessing. This Saturday
was momentous because it was the day where more than 50,000 marchers came
together at the Texas’ State Capital building to join the protests occurring around
the globe that were prompted by the election of President Trump (Dreher, 2017).
Men, women, and children converged to campaign about reproductive rights, sexual
harassment, gender equality within the economy, and fundamental human rights.
The atmosphere I witnessed on Saturday was a stark contrast to
the one I felt at the Trump rally; the march was empowering and welcoming, and
there was a strong sense of solidarity. And even though the march was
highlighting the dissatisfaction towards the election of President Trump and
all he represents, there was no direct resentment or bitterness.
Returning home over the Christmas break, many people asked
whether I was enjoying my year abroad, specifically inquiring about my thoughts
on Texas. Within these questions, there would be a subtle fabrication of Texas
that was synonymous with guns, cowboys and Republicans. I’d then politely reply
that the Texas I know and admire is quite different to those perceptions. The
march on Saturday was just a clear example of this.
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| Some of the inspiring signs used at the Women's March in Austin |
References
Dreher, L.
(2017) Austin joins global Women’s March.
Austin: The Daily Texan. Available at: www.dailytexanonline.com
[Accessed 23rd January 2017]. 