Watching the Election Abroad

I’ve been feeling a weird feeling this week. I couldn’t put my finger on it no matter how hard I tried, but today, I think I figured it out. It's the feeling of being powerless. I am 16 with strong opinions; opinions people have told me matter. I am a citizen of a country begging people to vote and let their truths be heard. However, I am too young to voice my truth. I am also 3,500 miles away from an election that will change the world. I am powerless. All I can do is look at my phone or over people's shoulders and watch my country light up blue or red.

I watched all my classmates glued to their computers or phones, waiting. Waiting for an answer that was buried deep in our minds, we hoped would not surface. The thick air carried the stench of anxiety throughout the halls and into every class. All we could do was sit in class and hope. But when a classmate opened his computer after class was over and told us the election was final, we knew hope was never enough. A man can be convicted 34 times, be a rapist, sexist, and racist, but that doesn't matter because he is a man and this is America. 

The air turned to reek of fear, disappointment, anger, and uncertainty for our future. All of us Americans watching our country fail from afar.  We joked about emigrating to France- staying here forever. Some talked about moving to Canada, Italy, or Ireland- anywhere but our country. The country we left behind in 2024 but will return back to in the 1900's. 

Today was suffocating. From the air in the school to the hand America will now hold over our mouths. Not only was I completely powerless in the voting of my country, I am now powerless over the decisions I have over my own body. 

America failed today.