Jessica Caldwell, Editor
Avery Beaton, Assistant Editor
Election results are in, and the USC Upstate community is experiencing a wide range of emotions.
Some students had mixed reactions, and many said they felt confused and upset.
The Carolinian surveyed students on campus on Wednesday following the election to get their reaction to the recent 2024 Presidential election results. Here’s what they had to say:
Theatre performance major Krischan Taylor was worried for others.
“I’m not worried for myself, I’m worried about all the people I care about who are from different walks of life,” she said.
Several students expressed feelings of disappointment or disillusion.
“The fact that this happened is a failure on multiple levels,” Public relations major Evan Lawrence said.
“The wave of disappointment I got, it felt like my entire life was put on hold,” Sunny Cathcart, a Communications major said.
Another performance major Patrick McCuen kept it short, stating that he feels “not great.”
Communications major Cole Johnson had a more optimistic outlook.
“It's a terrifying reality to wake up to, but as an optimist, I cannot help but believe we'll be okay. On the one hand, it's very depressing to see the result. However, on the other hand, this should be a wakeup call. We all banded together and showed that we can show up for one another, that we love one another,” Johnson said. “That should not change in these next four years. It's scary now, but if we're here for each other, we will be alright. We've always needed and relied on one another. Everyone needs each other just a little more now.”
Devin Cooper, an English major, felt similarly.
“While there are many different emotions about the outcome of the election, I feel we should go through the next four years to support each other the best way we can,” Cooper said. “I believe, despite our differences, change will not happen if we judge or isolate each other. I hope we can find some peace and common ground in the next four years.”
Abraham Lincoln, a senior political science major, was able to reflect on the election’s context.
“The bearing of past elections has caused this election to be closely watched and protected from unnecessary and fraudulent influxes. I feel the outcome of the presidential vote was what many Americans decided,” Lincoln said. “I did vote and being an independent voter, the most influential aspect that I used to choose whom I voted for was how both candidates accepted the method America uses to choose the winner.”
Most students surveyed said they based their voting on the candidate’s policies on social issues, economic policies or both.
Faculty at Upstate also had reflections to share.
“Voting is a way of speaking, and when people speak, they tell you who they are, and America just told itself who it is,” film professor Peter Caster said.
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