Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered her concession speech on Wednesday morning instead of Tuesday night, much to the surprise of many Americans. Clinton appeared on stage in New York clad in purple, most likely to drive home one of her main points- we must work together as a nation, whether red or blue, to “build a better, stronger, fairer America.”
Despite your feelings on the outcome of the election, there are important messages in Clinton’s speech that America must foster as we move forward as a nation.
As one of Clinton’s campaign slogan’s states, America is “Stronger Together.” Though Clinton did not win the presidency, she still believes in this idea. As a nation, America is stronger when we work together to build futures, not when we work against each other to tear down our peers. “The American dream is big enough for everyone. For people of all races, and religions, for men and women, for immigrants, for LGBT people, and people with disabilities,” said Clinton.
Clinton even tells viewers that we must “accept this result and move to the future” and advises us that we “owe [Trump] an open mind and a chance to lead.” Our nation prides itself on democracy, and that democracy has spoken. Donald Trump is now the president of the United States, and we must wait to see what he does with that office. The time to react is after he makes important decisions.
For many, Clinton’s campaign served as an example of the gender gap being shortened and of the “highest and hardest glass ceiling” being shattered. Many were disappointed as that ceiling remained intact on Tuesday night. But Clinton assured that though she was unable to ascend through that ceiling during this election, “someday someone will and hopefully sooner than we might think right now.” More importantly, she reminded the young women in our nation that her loss was not one to deter dreams. Clinton had a message for young women around the country, “Never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”
Arguably the most important lesson from Clinton’s remarks lies in seven simple words: “Fighting for what’s right is worth it.” Both Trump and Clinton supporters must take this message to heart. In our daily battles, in our communities and in our nation, Americans must fight for what is right.
As college students, this was many of our first election in which we could vote. Though many of us feel our opinion hasn’t been heard, Clinton had a message for us, “You will have successes and setbacks too. This loss hurts, but please never stop believing that fighting for what’s right is worth it.”
