I recently saw an article about the things that young Republicans are thankful for in 2017.
I decided, being a young over-opinionated liberal in the United States, to do my own response article about the things that democrats should be thankful for this season.
So, with that being said, here are the 31 things that every young democrat should be thankful for this holiday season:
1. The passing of medical marijuana in more states.
The United States is currently up to 29 states (as well as DC) that have legalized marijuana, either for recreational or medical use. Bless.
2. That the Black Lives Matter movement is still active.
Black Lives Matter is a revolution and a call for peace, and is one of the best movements to hit the media in a long while.
3. Trump's presidency is almost a quarter of the way over.
This man will probably not get a reelection. So, I think we can all raise our glasses to the fact that he will not be someone that we have to deal with for more than four years, and hopefully his Twitter won't be either.
4. There's a new president just over the horizon.
Guys, stay calm. It's coming and we can get through this together.
5. Abortion is still legal.
With the way that things are going in the United States, I'm not afraid to say that abortion is still legal for now. With the amount of young people banding together, I don't think that abortion will become illegal in the United States at any point in Trump's presidency.
6. The new Doctor is a woman.
In the upcoming season, Jodie Whittaker will be playing the Thirteenth Doctor as of the 2017 Christmas special. While many fans of Doctor Who are disappointed for the sake of tradition, many are way too excited for this change in this show that tends to be predominated by men.
7. Body positivity is spreading out on social media even more.
Models like Tess Holliday, Barbie Knox, and Ashley Graham are dominating the media.They're promoting body positivity, and while this is more of a feminism issue, I think it still falls under the category of equality.
8. The shade of climate change to those who think it's "not happening".
Guys. It was 70 degrees in November. Really? Really.
9. Danica Roem
She made national history this year as the first transgender persons to be elected into the Virginia House of Delegates.
10. That the women's march happened.
One word: revolutionary.
11. The progressive acceptance of more faiths in the United States.
More religions and denominations are becoming accepted in the U.S.; we still have a way to go before total religious tolerance and acceptance, but there's progress.
12. Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer.
Melissa McCarthy playing Sean Spicer on SNL is comedy gold. Plain and simple.
13. That Sean Spicer is no longer the press secretary.
If Melissa McCarthy isn't enough, Sean Spicer is comedy gold himself. We can all be thankful for his resignation.
14. Suicide awareness is becoming a more lucrative topic in the media.
Thanks to Logic's newest song "1-800-273-8255," suicide awareness is finally a highlighted issue, as it should be.
15. Trump has a 38% approval rating - and dropping.
Be thankful that people are finally coming to their senses.
16. Beyoncé is still the queen.
Queen. Bey. Forever.
17. The memories of the Barack and Joe Bromance.
I'm not crying, you are.
18. Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Educated, inspiring, and bow ties.
19. Planned Parenthood is only defunded for one year.
Alright look, it's no secret that democrats everywhere are lowkey scared shitless that abortion will be made illegal. The fact that Planned Parenthood was only defunded for one year is pretty good considering what could have been.
20. Leslie Knope (Parks & Recreation)
Forever spitting truth and taking names; a true emblem for every young democrat out there.
21. Every woman in the Litchfield penitentiary.
OITNB: diversity, real-world problems, culture, everything. This show highlights real life issues and emphasizes the unique situations women go through.
22. The transgender military ban did not go through.
We should just be happy that it didn't happen because, ya know, military service is a personal choice and an honor and those that do should be appreciated.
23. Police brutality is more discussed.
After the transformation of the Black Lives Matter movement and more and more people coming forward about struggles in the past, this is a more widely discussed topic. Thank god.
24. J.K. Rowling roasting her haters.
People on Twitter rallied at the beginning of the year that they were burning J.K. Rowling's books.. but, she had a. Clap. Back.
25. Feminism is trending.
From merchandise to media, feminism is becoming a popular media topic. And we wouldn't have it any other way.
26. Not all of the travel ban went through.
Everyone found this ridiculous and cruel. The fact that it didn't go through was an absolute blessing.
27. This book.
Click on the picture to get it on Amazon, and you won't be disappointed.
28. Voting rights.
While voting rights didn't play in our favor in this last election, the fact that we still have the freedom to vote for our rights is good enough for me.
29. That my best friend still has the right to marry whatever man he wants.
Trump has tried to mess with many, many laws, but the day he touches LGBT marriage is the day that I apply for my Canadian citizenship. Watch me.
30. Celebrity tweets about Trump.
Tweets so beautiful that they almost block out all of Trump's feed.
31. The fact that people have the balls to stand up for what they believe in - even if that means they're not really standing.
This was by far the most controversial topic of 2017 and you all know by the picture and the context what I'm talking about. But the fact that people are still not afraid to stand up for what they believe in regardless of the consequences is something to be proud of.
