By Jennifer Abbott
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Camden County College voters expressed optimism and pessimism after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election.
Mike Pence
In the early hours of Nov. 9, 2016, Republican Donald Trump and his vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence, officially defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton and her running mate, Tim Kaine, as Trump’s electoral vote count topped the 270 needed for victory.
Marilyn Marcheski of Stratford said she was happy Trump won.
“I think Hillary would’ve been terrifying. I think people are ridiculous for saying they’re going to leave the country,” said the 21-year-old second-year student.
Pennsauken resident Devon Castaneda, 20, said she was in “complete shock.” The second-year student said she was a huge Bernie Sanders supporter and voted for Clinton mostly to try to prevent Trump from winning.
“I think him (Trump) being elected is going to hugely set back forward movement for LGBTQ rights and make safety for people that aren’t white a big issue,” stated Castaneda.
She added, “People see that a racist bigot is president now. What’s holding them back from being openly racist and discriminatory themselves?”
Second-year student Gianna Flacco, 20, offered a different perspective.
“I think people will be surprised to find out Trump isn’t so bad and that he will fix things in this country,” the Pennsauken resident said, adding she believed Trump will change the economy when he’s in office.
Patrick Custer, 20, of Oaklyn, said he was concerned about a Trump presidency.
“This is the choice the majority of America wanted and even though that’s so scary that’s the choice and it’s our own fate,” the second-year student stated. “Trump is going to try and make the white male the supreme race and as much as that would benefit me, I can’t sit and let that happen. We are all equal and I think a lot of activism is going to try and stop Trump from taking these rights away.”