For those of you who know my basic information, you would know that I do not often fall into a category you would label as a minority. These include non-Caucasian races, those who belong to the LGBT community, those who fall into the lowest and highest tax brackets according to income or anything else that may mean you are not the "everyday" person. Every classification that we have for the people around us has a percentage larger than the other, leaving a small portion that feels small, outnumbered and cornered. I never thought that I would belong to one. For most of my life, I have fallen into the everyday crowd, until I got to college, that is. Being the product of small town, blue collar ideals, I am very conservative in my political views. This is different than just about every person I knew in high school or met in college. Most had little interest in politics before college, but the second a liberal mindset is introduced to them, they cling onto it. I can count on one hand how many young conservatives I met at school, and I can gladly say one of my best friends was the first one I met.

My frustrations because of this separation are immense. Oftentimes, my peers see or hear that I am a conservative and immediately think that I am a racist or a misogynist. The fact that I watch Fox News must make me some kind of redneck idiot that loosely throws his support at what seems "patriotic." My political standing immediately lowers my intellectual value and discredits my opinions because they must be hate-filled. My views have been mocked, shot down and angered those around me. One of the largest myths and paradoxes that surround conservatism is this: We hate minorities, yet we are one.

I don't have an immense amount to say about this topic, as it is very simple and speaks for itself. I do have just a few final things to say, and pieces of advice to give those who may be reading this as well as my peers.

To those reading this: Thank you, and I appreciate your time. I hope that you open our eyes to what is happening on not only the campus at SIUE, but at almost every college campus around the US. A liberal mindset is being pushed upon students who need something to cling to, so they immediately choose that. Educate your son or daughter about all sides, not just one.

To my peers who may fall victim to this: Guard yourself and do your own research. If you come to the conclusion that you like the liberal side, so be it, but do not base your opinion on news bulletins and skewed social media posts.

And finally...

To those who mocked me: I will not change my ideals because a professor tells me "how the world works" as though I cannot see it on my own. I will not adhere to your labels and hateful sentiments. I will not accept what you say because you think that is how it should be. I will be my own person and choose what I think is right, no matter who tells me otherwise.