WS Chronicle

BY TEVIN STINSON 

THE CHRONICLE 

A few days after ballots had been counted, and it was official that America had elected the first president with no political experience, thousands of protesters took to the streets to voice their frustrations.

While inhabitants across the country marched, including in Winston-Salem, N.C. NAACP President Rev. Dr. William J. Barber took a different approach to share his thoughts on the election and president-elect Donald Trump.

During a conference call on Friday, Nov. 11, Barber said although Trump may be our next president, those who believe in democracy must remain resilient.

He said, “I know many people are frustrated and upset with what transpired Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, but now more than ever we must lift our voices and sing.”

While many were shocked by the election results, Barber told NAACP members and members of the media that what occurred early on Super Tuesday was all too familiar.

“This is nothing we haven’t seen before,” said Barber. “We’ve had candidates and people in office before who struck fear, and vulnerability into the hearts of the weak, and Donald Trump is no different.”

Barber went on to say he believes what propelled Trump to the White House is the hate rhetoric against people of color, immigrants, women, and other underrepresented sub cultures in our society. He said that is exactly that type of language that appeals to voters in the South. He mentioned fear of change, and the fact that the first African-American president is currently in office also played a major role in Trump’s surprising victory.

“This could not have happened without the election of the first black president. While we have made great strides to improve race relations in this country, many people could not and still can’t accept the fact that the President of the United States is a black man,” said Barber. “A dying mule kicks the hardest and this was their redemption movement. This is extremist last gas to prevent change.”

Before he is sworn in as the 45th President of the United States, Barber demanded that Trump take back the hateful language that fueled his campaign. He said now is the time for Trump to change his ways and be statesman.

“He has to repent from all the evilness that he has spread across this country,” he said. “We don’t need someone in office who will just go along to get along. Now is the time to be a statesman for the entire country.”

While much of the news wasn’t good for Democrats last week, Barber says with the help of Democracy NC, the NAACP led more than 60 marches to the polls across the state and registered more than 20,000 new voters this election season.

When discussing the future, Barber said, “Now more than ever we have to keep the faith.

“Just like the slaves who took a stand. Just like Harriet Tubman, Dr. King and others before us, we have that same faith and that’s what will get us through these treacherous times,” he said. “We must remember that we are heirs of great descendants and we must continue on our journey for equality.”