In the days since Republican Donald Trump won his place as the 45th president of the United States in a stunning defeat of Democrat Hillary Clinton, celebrations and protests have erupted across the country from people who are uncertain of what the future of America holds and from others who are thrilled change is coming.

Below are portraits of a handful of Miss-Lou residents and their thoughts on the current state of American politics and the country.

William Hinson, 27, of Vidalia supported Donald Trump because Hinson agrees with Trump on many of issues, especially Trump’s plan for the first 100 days in office, which includes removing illegal immigrants, eliminating roadblocks to projects such as the Keystone Pipeline and repealing at least part of the Affordable Care Act.

Hinson said he is happy Hillary Clinton did not win because of the ongoing controversy related to her private use of a server and email leaks.

“I don’t agree with the protesting at all,” he said. “I think it’s because … Hillary supporters didn’t get their way. It’s like trying to get a participation trophy.

“I’m excited to see what this four years will bring and where we go from here.”

 

Valencia Hall, 60, of Natchez voted for Hillary Clinton because “she was a (candidate) for all people,” unlike Trump who reminded Hall of former Alabama Governor George Wallace, famous for opposing integration.

“The bigoted rhetoric that he expounded upon throughout the election, how he continued to demean people of different ethnic groups than him, different racial groups … different religious groups … that brought to my memory what happened in the 60s,” Hall said. “With the rioting … it just goes to show you how much this country is divided, and with the Electoral College, we really are much more of a republic than a pure democracy.”

Even Wallace was a changed man in his final years, Hall said, and she hopes Trump is a successful president.

“I think it’s going to start with him making amends for some of things he has said,” Hall said. “I think he must do that.”

 

Katelynn Yvon, 23, of Natchez initially supported Bernie Sanders but then Hillary Clinton, because “I just didn’t want Trump. That was my main concern.”

Yvon said she is encouraged that Clinton won the popular vote.

“I’m glad at least most of the people’s vote went to Hillary, Yvon said. “But a little less than half of America thinks that someone can say these things about women and people with disabilities and people who aren’t white and … get away with it. These things are not OK. Other than being commander-in-chief, Trump is going to be the person representing us as a country to the world, and that matters. The rest of the world is going to be looking at us. They already are. … I get wanting change, I totally understand that, but this was not the way to go about it.”

 

Bruce Brice, 55, of Natchez served as the chair for Donald Trump’s campaign in Adams, Jefferson and Claiborne counties. A conservative-leaning independent, Brice said Trump carried forth his ideals for key issues, including building a wall at the Mexican border, foreign affairs, supporting small businesses, health care, and was an “anti-establishment” candidate.

“I’ve been with Trump since day one,” Brice said. “I always had faith, and I didn’t believe the polls were right. … It’s not the first election a candidate has won the popular vote and not gained the Electoral College. … I think he is sincere about (being a president for all people.) I’ve never seen a prejudice bone in his body.”

 

Arthur Lewis, 24, of Vidalia supported Hillary Clinton because he does not believe Donald Trump’s “values should come at the expense of civil liberties” and in light of comments Trump has made about minorities, women and others.

“From the Republicans’ side, they have a very charismatic leader, and he tells people what they want to hear,” Lewis said. “I think when people are desperate for change, they cling to whatever they can.

“(When Trump won), I was fearful not for myself, but for everyone that was against his movement … for females, LGBTQ people and other people. I enjoy that people are protesting, but not because they are tearing stuff down, but I don’t think either side realizes their common ground is the well-being of America.”

 

Quillan Smith, 28, of Vidalia, mother of 6 year old Dedra, said she supported Donald Trump because “he’s more worried about the people … who have … actually put blood, sweat and tears into making America what it was, what it needs to be again.”

Smith said she hopes in the future that “everybody could start to understand each other.”

“Sometimes, though, you wonder if the reality of that happening is even possible,” she said. “Stupidity has run rampant for so long, you don’t know if it’s ever going to stomp itself our or if it’s going to continue getting worse. I would always hope that people would learn to love and accept each other.”