I'll be honest, I have been like an ostrich for the past few months. I have barely been reading the news, which is hypocritical. But news about Trump is impossible to escape, and in all my ignorance I still think I can add one tiny, useful fact.
Only a little more than 10% of the US population actually wanted Trump to be president.
Whaaat? Yes, it's true. So all the articles about how his election proves [anything about American racism/sexism/xenophobia/anti-environmentalism/etc.] can stop. And maybe we can focus on things like working together for our common cause of fixing the government system and living good lives, instead?
...fine. At least, please try to remember this fact when you read, write, and talk about the 2016 election and Trump's supporters.
Proof:
Only 27% of eligible voters voted for Trump. (I emphasize "eligible voters" because by 2020, many people will have died, many people will have become eligible, and 27% still isn't "of ALL Americans.")
Of those, less than half actually wanted Trump, as opposed to simply voting against Clinton:
And there you have it. Less than 12% of Americans actually wanted Trump to be president.
What does this say about the average American and how well their opinions align with those espoused by Trump?
Just like about half of the US voting population, my vote is on "nothing."