Karen, a first generation Mexican-American, shares her fear, grief, shock, disbelief, and a deep sense of abandonment the night after Donald Trump's victory.

“I just feel as if I have this grip is closing in on me, slowly and slowly, I’m getting squeezed in and I’m being told I don’t belong here, this isn’t my place.”
— Karen

OUR INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

  • We met Karen at a prayer vigil in Brooklyn on the night after Donald Trump won the presidency.

  • In an emotional conversation, Karen shares how deeply wounded she’s left by the election results.

  • Karen was feeling “fear and grief, shock and disbelief and a deep sense of abandonment and feeling disenfranchised by not only my government, my democratic system but my own people, the people of my own nation.”

  • “We’re talking amongst ourselves and it’s important we open dialogues with ‘the other side.’”

  • “I don’t consider myself of a higher socio-economic status. I’m a student with over $50,000 in student loans, I struggle to make my rent, pay my doctors’ bills and groceries. I have no money to spare at the end of the month.”

  • “I shouldn’t have to be ashamed of my heritage and where I come from.”