Emily Eckles, Dixon, Ill.
"What I want the new president to know about my community is that it is very diverse in race, gender, and sexuality. The United States is home to many different cultures and customs, and not any single group should be singled out for any reason."
"What I want the new president to know about me is that I do not want him to fail as president. I want him to prove me wrong and do a great job. His previous statements against many minority groups, as well as his cabinet choices, have me very worried, however. He needs to know that everyone has inalienable human rights, and that the citizens of the United States will not let their rights be trampled upon.”
Stanley Baldwin, NIU Music Major.
“What I want the new president to know about my community is my community is counting on him to do a good job and wishes him the best of luck in his next four years in office."
"And what I want the new president to know about me is yes, I am a professional teacher, and it’s my prayer that he looks out for funding for education, because education is the way that this country will stand in the next few years. And it’s up to us to bring up the next generation.”
George King, DeKalb, Ill.
“What I want the president to know about my community is it’s a small town with little to no jobs, where people used to come to want to be, but now can’t wait to leave."
"What I want the president to know about me is I’m a black person in a mostly white town that at one time used to welcome all people; the last few years it is not that way anymore.”
Austin Sundstrom, Riverside Ill.
“What I want the new president to know about my community is that we are a hard-working, patriotic community, who believe in equality and equal rights for all."
"And what I want the new president to know about me is that I do not trust you or your cabinet besides General Mattis.”
Johanna Kuhl, Lake Forest, Ill.
“What I want the new president to know about my community is that every single person matters, no matter where they’re from, their race, gender, or religion, and you will not convince us otherwise."
"What I also want the president to know about me is although I don’t agree with most of your stances and views on our country, I hope for the sake of our country, that the decisions that you make are for the betterment for our people as a whole.”
Nicholas Filippo, Tinley Park, Ill.
“What I want the new president to know about my community is that we are feeling a fear, because as a member of the LGTBQ community, we fear that our community will have its rights taken away."
"What I want the new president to know about me is that I want him to succeed and that I hope that he stands with the minority groups – just as Obama did.”
- Interviews conducted by Michelle Kittling-Brewer, a current media studies major at Northern Illinois University and a graduate of WNIJ's Public Radio 101program
- Editing by Jenna Dooley and Jessie Schlacks
