Donald Trump’s recent victory in the American presidential election came as a shock to many. However, was all the cynical, inflammatory press coverage all it’s cracked up to be?

Trump is the very pinnacle of the aggressive New Yorker. He’s brash, blunt and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. In addition to this, he’s long been in the business of yelling at people. Throughout his presidential campaign, he was accused of being a xenophobe, a racist, a homophobe — although it’s unclear where evidence of that one stems from — and a misogynist.

Trump’s words are too strong for many.

The very real video footage that circulated containing audio of Trump speaking derogatorily about women is something that is outright shameful and cannot be defended by anyone who holds the least amount of respect for fellow human beings.

On the other hand, the remaining accusations and attacks against Trump have largely been overblown by an overly sensitive and left-leaning media and a similarly orientated Internet generation with no hesitation to click “like” or “share” before doing a bit of prior research.

Western society is developing a worsening linguistic sensitivity to free speech. This was never clearer during the months preceding the 2016 American presidential election, as countless attacks were launched against Trump’s comments, many of which were taken laughably out of context. Trump did not run on a campaign based on the promotion of violence, discrimination or racism.

These are attack words that were and are used by the opponents of Trump who are misinterpreting the themes of his messages and have likely been offended by his strong comments. Let’s be honest, Trump is not modest with his speech. He is straightforward and speaks his mind.

Many people were offended by the things he’s said and they have every right to be, but Trump simultaneously has the same right to be blunt in speaking about the very real issues that the world is facing today.

For example, Trump is interested in the safety and security of his fellow citizens. Yes, threatening to build a wall between the United States and Mexico seems extreme — and sort of funny. At the same time, this extreme example gets people’s attention and it does bring to light the issues the United States has long had with illegal immigration.

As Trump highlighted, both criminals and non-criminals stream across the border illegally. Whether these people are criminals or not, they are still moving across borders illegally and to attack Trump’s comments on illegal immigration can be likened to condoning the crime itself.

Those who misinterpret the boldness and bluntness of Trump’s messages, promote violence and spread hate are also getting it seriously wrong. Trump is not promoting violence and hate. He is not a role model for violence or hate.

These are the results of people convincing themselves — based on the misinterpretations they’ve been exposed to — that violence and hate are the solutions, but they are not. In fact, Trump’s acceptance speech was one of unification and modesty. He asked for all “to come together as one united people,” regardless of political orientation, race, background or religion, even including his own naysayers.

The day following the election, reports emerged from across the United States that students at various universities were hosting events known as “cry-ins.” Students needed a day to mourn the results of the election, in which they were given Play-Doh and colouring books to ease their minds of the reality of a Trump victory.

At schools like Cornell University, lectures and exams were cancelled or postponed. Staff provided hot chocolate and tissues. These young adults are the future workforce of the United States. These are future doctors, lawyers and school teachers and it’s obvious that there are problems with over-sensitivity amongst this generation and beyond.

No, Trump isn’t perfect. He isn’t going to be the president of the United States known for his class and eloquence, but he has been elected the next president of the United States. Some like him and some don’t — and that’s fine — but crying over some Play-Doh and hot chocolate will not make America great again. Being a little bit blunt and straightforward might just be what the world needs in times like these.

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Bodan Worobetz

Photo: gageskidmore / Flickr