Last year, in the late fall, presidential candidate Donald Trump visited the small town of M
anheim, Pennsylvania where he had a rally in the Spooky Nook Sports Complex. I was not and am not a supporter of his politics, but being that he was literally a 5-minute walk from my house, my family and I decided to go just to say that we did. As soon as we walked across the road to the sports complex parking lot we were greeted with friendly people organizing lines, selling Trump merchandise, and overall promoting the candidate. My sister and I still refused to change our opinions on his proposed policy. When we entered the large hall that Trump would be speaking in, I could feel my opinion shifting ever so slightly. There, scattered across a gym floor were hundreds of people all waiting to hear presidential candidate Donald Trump speak. I recognized faces almost immediately. There were at least a 100 of my classmates scattered among the crowd not to mention their parents that I knew and trusted. The Amish community also had a large turnout due to Trump’s appeal to the working class. In my community the Amish are seen as some of the most wholesome people, I had no reason to feel intimidated or untrusting of them. This crowd is what began to change my mind even before Trump stepped foot in the building. By seeing members of the community that were my friends, classmates, teachers, and neighbors all supporting one cause, it began to make me second guess my own opinions. If all these people I trusted believed Trump, why shouldn’t I? As the crowd grew this feeling became even stronger. No longer was I in the back observing the masses chanting “make America great again” or “lock her up” I was in the midst, suffocating.
When Trump finally arrived and made his way up on stage the chanting became deafening. This is when I finally understood mob, mentality. I didn’t truly believe anything they were saying but somehow the unifying aspect of every person happy and cheering made me feel happier and more willing to give Trump a chance before he had said anything.
When he did begin to speak I felt the same way. He was in no way a good speaker but the crowd of people supporting him made him seem more believable and reliable. He used simple words and repetition, appealing to people more easily than more cerebral speeches. I do admit that I left the rally feeling much lighter about Trump, maybe I didn’t believe in what he was saying per say, but the atmosphere that him and his supporters created provided a persuasive push to believe every word he had said.
tmj5345
January 26, 2018 — 2:25 pm
I think even though you did not support Trump, it is very admirable that you and your family went to hear him speak. This is something that I believe more people should have done. It is hard to make a real opinion of someone who you never heard speak or actually met. By going to this rally, it is an example of what true citizenship is because you are opening your mind and views to more than just what you know. I believe it is important for our country to hear what our presidential candidates have to say before they make a true opinion of them.
You mention how the crowd was filled with many people that you know. Knowing that they were there, does this change your opinion on who they are as people? What were the affects after the really? Did you view them differently?
I think even if people have different political views it should not impact how you treat each other. There is some sort of reason why they chose to believe in Trump, and maybe that is the story we need to here. Trump may have to seemed to be a good speaker, but it is possible that the way he spoke made it easier for people to understand and relate to him– in that case he spoke very well.
Rokhaya
January 26, 2018 — 2:37 pm
I really find your story and your perspective on Trump’s rally interesting. I never really considered the fact that sometimes beliefs that are widely shared by communities are very appealing and can make you question your own perception of things if you don’t align yourself with those beliefs. The fact that you attended this rally despite not having the same convictions shows open mind and willingness to listen to opposing, even controversial,opinions. Would you say that our beliefs are shaped by the communities we are part of and very little by our own personal judgements? Because I have seen these behaviors before where people get heated and carried away by crowd movements, not just following the crowd but just questioning and adjusting their ideas as a result of widespread communal beliefs. We should also consider the fact that we are only humans and hence we are meant to live in groups and have social interactions, what role do you think that plays in the spreading of beliefs?This essentially takes us back to last week’s blog post on the foundation of beliefs. Is it really moral for these people to believe in Trump without having really investigated the validity of his points? Also, I like the pictures at the end, it makes us visualize your story.
tva5198
January 26, 2018 — 2:46 pm
I really liked the fact that you went to the rally and widened your horizons and that your family went with you. I honestly don’t know what I would have done in that situation or if I would have attended the rally but I know for a fact my mom would not have went to the rally. It was very admirable that your family went together and it makes sense as to why you were a tiny bit persuasive. When you’re in a crowded area with a group of people believing in something it makes you want to believe it to. It makes you really reconsider your beliefs and try to look at things from their point of view.
I definitely think it’s easier to persuade someone to believe something in person as well. You probably fell a little bit persuaded definitely due to the fact that Donald Trump and his supporters were right in front of you. If it was on television, how most people keep up with politics, once someone hears something they don’t believe, they are much quicker to change the channel and turn the tv off. It really shows you’re an optimistic person since you put yourself in that situation and stayed for the whole rally. Great blog post!