Samuel Calto
Writer '19
No one can deny that the 2016 Presidential election was a stunning one. On election day, as the polls came in, Donald Trump, once ridiculed as a joke candidate, pulled ahead early and stayed there, barely winning key swing states by a few percentage points. Hillary Clinton, who was ready to start celebrating a victory practically every poll had predicted, was forced to shut down the excitement and accept defeat, even though she had succeeded in winning the popular vote. In a memorable concession speech, Hillary Clinton closed her campaign with an important message of the morals she wanted to spread through her campaign.
Clinton began her message with an apology to her supporters. Noting that her "vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized campaign "was made up of many American voters who had worked hard to spread their dreams, Clinton was sorry that she had let down the values she had attempted to spread. But after recognizing her failure, Clinton emphasized that the campaign was about the country and while some may have hated the results of November 9th, they were what they were. In her words, the president-elect deserves "an open mind and the chance to lead." There is no way America could be united if groups were actively resisting the results and not giving its leader a chance to prove himself.
Moving on, Clinton mentioned that while her supporters should accept the results of the election, they should not give up their morals and continue fighting for what they believe. Clinton, however, emphasized that one of America's tenets was protecting the rights of everyone, in an obvious reference to Trump's planned policies on Muslims, which many believe to be unconstitutional. After a recent worldwide surge in populism, Clinton felt the need to reaffirm America's ideals and help protect everyone fairly and justly.
Next, Clinton thanked her family and others who supported her campaign. Next, she thanked the many voters who supported her during the election, especially the young and unsure ones. Changing to a reassuring tone, Hillary reminded these young voters that there would always be successes and setbacks in life.
Perhaps Clinton's most famous quote from her speech was “And -- to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” As the most successful female presidential candidate in American history, Clinton had a decent chance of breaking that final "glass ceiling" which was so prominent in the building where many eagerly waited for her to win. Remnants of sexism still remain in the world, and Hillary hoped to better the status of females. Through supporting young girls in this way, she revealed her goals of promoting equality. She may not have broken the barrier this election, but she wants to set a path for others to be able to break it.
Clinton's motto of "Stronger Together" was very prevalent throughout the whole speech. The 2016 election brought out a "silent majority" unwilling to follow traditional candidates, eventually leading to Trump's success. While visibly unhappy, Clinton knew that right now, more than anything else, the country needs unity and not fighting. It was her hope that as Americans, all of us could continue to work together and better the country.
Writer '19
No one can deny that the 2016 Presidential election was a stunning one. On election day, as the polls came in, Donald Trump, once ridiculed as a joke candidate, pulled ahead early and stayed there, barely winning key swing states by a few percentage points. Hillary Clinton, who was ready to start celebrating a victory practically every poll had predicted, was forced to shut down the excitement and accept defeat, even though she had succeeded in winning the popular vote. In a memorable concession speech, Hillary Clinton closed her campaign with an important message of the morals she wanted to spread through her campaign.
Clinton began her message with an apology to her supporters. Noting that her "vast, diverse, creative, unruly, energized campaign "was made up of many American voters who had worked hard to spread their dreams, Clinton was sorry that she had let down the values she had attempted to spread. But after recognizing her failure, Clinton emphasized that the campaign was about the country and while some may have hated the results of November 9th, they were what they were. In her words, the president-elect deserves "an open mind and the chance to lead." There is no way America could be united if groups were actively resisting the results and not giving its leader a chance to prove himself.
Moving on, Clinton mentioned that while her supporters should accept the results of the election, they should not give up their morals and continue fighting for what they believe. Clinton, however, emphasized that one of America's tenets was protecting the rights of everyone, in an obvious reference to Trump's planned policies on Muslims, which many believe to be unconstitutional. After a recent worldwide surge in populism, Clinton felt the need to reaffirm America's ideals and help protect everyone fairly and justly.
Next, Clinton thanked her family and others who supported her campaign. Next, she thanked the many voters who supported her during the election, especially the young and unsure ones. Changing to a reassuring tone, Hillary reminded these young voters that there would always be successes and setbacks in life.
Perhaps Clinton's most famous quote from her speech was “And -- to all the little girls who are watching this, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” As the most successful female presidential candidate in American history, Clinton had a decent chance of breaking that final "glass ceiling" which was so prominent in the building where many eagerly waited for her to win. Remnants of sexism still remain in the world, and Hillary hoped to better the status of females. Through supporting young girls in this way, she revealed her goals of promoting equality. She may not have broken the barrier this election, but she wants to set a path for others to be able to break it.
Clinton's motto of "Stronger Together" was very prevalent throughout the whole speech. The 2016 election brought out a "silent majority" unwilling to follow traditional candidates, eventually leading to Trump's success. While visibly unhappy, Clinton knew that right now, more than anything else, the country needs unity and not fighting. It was her hope that as Americans, all of us could continue to work together and better the country.