Oye Amreeka, are you serious?

That Wednesday, I was at a US consulate Mumbai-wala event at Hard Rock Café in Worli, Mumbai. It was not a business-as-usual day for America. There was one giant screen and several influential people as this was a special invite-only event. Though the place was buzzing with activity, everyone was glued to the giant screen. The invitees were a little worried as Trump was leading. One by one, Trump starting winning most of the electoral colleges (which in desi terms is a Lok Sabha MP seat). The last was Pennsylvania, that Hillary lost.And it was the end.

People started leaving. Their faces dejected and their eyes watery. It made me realise how connected our nations are. We all were deeply affected. I had my first experience of the United States when I visited the country as a part of the International Visitors Learning programme last year. I know we Indians pride ourselves on hospitality, and we rightly should. I experienced the same kind of hospitality from everyone in the US. Right from my liaison officers to the Randy Berry, the special envoy for LGBTIQ people, irrespective of their social or professional status, everyone was very kind and hospitable.

I was in the US when the attack on Pulse, the gay bar in Orlando, happened. I remember this frail old man in Duport Circle, Washington DC, where a memorial for those departed in the attack was held. The man was holding a placard saying “Muslims, get out of my country”. Suddenly, I saw a sea of individuals go and speak to the person. He wasn’t denied the right to shout. He was only requested to step out and hold his protest. In moments, there were police officers expressing their grief, and people praying in various ways according to their faith. 

That was America for me; though it was a romanticised version midst all the attacks on black people. This was the reality I experienced and I carry it along with me.

It hurts that a nation that stood up for equality is going to be lead by someone whose campaign was completely focussed on hate. Trump has been bragging about grabbing woman by their p!ssy, building a wall between Mexico and US, deporting immigrants, calling woman pigs, insulting women for menstruating… The list is endless.

So it hurts to see, that Trump Bhaiyya would be leading that nation. The only ones rejoicing in India were some ajeeb people worshipping Trump’s poster near Parel station in Mumbai. Obviously, hate has more followers than love.

Haanji, for all those who kept Santoshi mata ka vrat for Trump Bhaaiyya… well, Bhagwan ne teri sun li, aur duniyaa chi vaat laavli!

I don’t think, behen Hillary used her gender as a trump card ever. But I wonder if America would vote for even someone who is racist, homophobic, has super erratic temperament, just because there is a woman on the other side of the competition.

Did America reject Hillary behen because of her gender?