Reporting on Election Night

I have resisted saying anything about the election on my blog for a few days. I didn't want to add more chaos into America's outrage. At first I was feeling like a lot of other college students...scared. Nov. 8, I voted for who I thought had the best chance of defeating Tump.

Election Night

Election day is "Super Bowl Day" for journalists as my teacher likes to call it. I did not get to sit home, stare at the TV, and let myself freak out. Most of The Channels staff (including myself) were sent out to Democratic and Republican viewings/gatherings to interview other political candidates and community members about the races and propositions.

I went to a Democratic viewing at The Mill in downtown Santa Barbara. It was the most difficult reporting I've ever had to do in my entire experience as a journalist and it just might be for a long time. Results kept appearing on the TV disfavoring my hopes and everyone else's around me. People at the bar faced towards the TVs while others stood in a crowd paralyzed in fear. Those who could not hold in their emotions walked to the back and hid their faces in their hands sobbing. My job was to interview these people around me about Prop 67, the ban of plastic bags. My thoughts at the time: 'HAHAHAHAHA you got to be kidding me right? *looks at the results on the TV* 'YOU GOT TO BE KDDING ME RIGHT?'

SBCC students watching the final debate at the City College

My biggest job of the night was supposed to be getting quotes, but it felt like setting aside my presidential election worries was the biggest job of all. At least it was easy to push aside any biased feelings I had about plastic bags being banned. Although, I was turned down for interviews multiple times. At first, the rejections were all simultaneous. No one wanted to talk about plastic bags when the poll results that meant the most to them weren't appearing their favor. Eventually I got the quotes I needed, including quotes from Monique Limón (State Assembly Candidate) and Daraka Larimore-Hall (Chairman for the Santa Barbara Democratic Party). 

Reporting with the "big dogs" KEYT

By 10:15 p.m. I told one of The Channels' photographers that we had to go back to the newsroom at SBCC. Our stories were due at 11:59 p.m. that night. Shaking with the stress of the election and the time crunch, I sat with my news staff team and we rushed to get the story done while the results played on the projector behind us. One of my teammate's showed me his phone, that read "Donald Trump is the 45th president of the United States." 

Monique Limón and
Hannah-Beth Jackson

My jaw dropped in my hands and my voice could not form a sentence for a minute. At this moment, I knew this would be a night I would never forget and a story to tell my future grandchildren. I turned to look at the projector behind me as well as the rest of the class. Trump was walking up to the stage with his family. We were all supposed to be working on our stories, but the surprising final result left us speechless. Yeah....journalists.....speechless.

Just after midnight, I left the newsroom after finishing the Prop 67 story with my teammates. I could not have gotten it done in time if it wasn't for their help. I drove back to Isla Vista on the 101, feeling like I was entering a new world, wondering if those driving around me knew they were too. 

Midnight at The Channels Newsroom

Before I enter through my apartment door, I hear loud protests erupting through the streets. Residents of Isla Vista were more wild on this Tuesday night than any Friday or Saturday night I've seen. I call my friend up and walk with a group to UCSB. It's not like I was going to be able to sleep anyways. If my phone wasn't dead, I would've reported everything that was going on. Over 1,000 students stood in a crowd next to Storke Tower expressing their fears and disappointment. Nationally, about 95% of students voted democratically and it showed. Many cussed and talked of violence, while I stood there in a chanting crowd hugging my friend in silence. I am not one to get mad and I know violence never does any good. I respect and encourage protests as long as they are peaceful and have a reasonable purpose. 

Over the past few days after the election, things have calmed down a bit. I've caught up on some sleep as well. Trump has released some information about what he will do during his presidency that is a whole lot different than what he was saying during his presidential race. Thank heavens.

The Word Around the President Elect's Plans

• Trump "respects" the LGBT community. After Obama's protection of gay marriage and the Orlando shooting, I sure hope Trump doesn't disturb America's progression of love.
•  Trump will not be building a "wall" but more fences. Clearly he exaggerated to obtain more votes because a wall would be way too expensive and obviously he can't make Mexico pay for it. 
• Trump plans to repeal Obama Care, but still protect people with preexisting conditions and those under the age of 26 on their parents' insurances. I was terrified about Obama Care being repealed because otherwise getting covered by insurance companies after my preexisting condition of cancer could be extremely difficult and expensive. Hopefully he keeps young people and people with preexisting conditions in mind.
• Trump is pro-life (against abortion), but Obama is moving to protect planned parenthood funding permanently.  Personally, I couldn't emotionally handle getting an abortion, but I do respect the ability for women to make their own choices. 

1 p.m. protest at UCSB

The list could go on and on...including discussion about lowering college tuition that is a "YUGE" issue amongst us college students and alumni . However, this blog is getting long and I appreciate your interest in my opinion of the election after hearing about this political race in the news consistently over the past year. After all this chaos, I'd be surprised to see Trump as president for more than four years. I think there even is possibility of impeachment in his future. Who knows, all America can do is make the best of the situation or try their best to change the situation.

America as a whole is more powerful than one president will ever be. Use your voices, not your fists. Work for the changes you desire. 

Fear less and love more.