Bernie Sanders struck a chord in America because he had been in the system for forty years and still barked about the same issues that first drove him into politics. He hadn’t been coached. He wasn’t speaking to please. In fact, it seemed at times that he was trying to prove a point more than he was trying to win an election.

Maybe part of the reason we believed so firmly in his authenticity is that, if the whole thing had been an act, it would of been a terrible one. When Bernie spoke at the podium he more strongly resembled a grumpy grandpa at an AA meeting than a presidential candidate. We expect our veteran politicians to cling tenaciously to talking points and say the same thing fifteen different ways to avoid being forthright. (Sound like anyone in particular..?) But here was a hoarse, disgruntled, disheveled, old, Socialist Jew telling us plainly: No. Your vision for a better society is not crazy. Let me show you...

We looked. We listened. And for a few beautiful months, we believed.

When all was said and done, we had nearly pulled off the impossible. 22 primary/caucus victories, 13.3 million votes, and 1893 delegates. Not to mention the one figure everyone who “felt the Bern” is particularly proud of: the most individual donations in the history of a presidential campaign.

Despite resistance from his most ardent supporters, the reality is that Bernie’s moment has fizzled. All hope of a Sanders presidency has diminished (barring the unlikely possibility that Hillary is, in fact, more ill than she claims to be). And now, he is urging his base of passionate “revolutionaries” to back the person who stands in direct contrast to everything we believed he represented. The painfully scripted, finger-to-the-wind, Hillary Clinton.

But why? If she so starkly represents his moral antithesis, why would he endorse her? Was the entire “political revolution” some hoax concocted by the DNC to generate grassroots support before the general election?

Perhaps, but I don’t think so. Bernie doesn’t care who gets elected. He cares about the policies that that person will enact. And with the platform committee adopting many of his progressive principles, he was satisfied enough to get behind Hillary. But does that mean we should, too?

If Bernie taught us anything, it’s that we should not allow anyone to persuade us into abandoning our ideals. Which is why, barring a dramatic and unlikely change of heart, I will be voting for the Green Party nominee, Jill Stein, in November.

Trust me, I know. I know that if too many of Bernie’s supporters vote for Stein, it could push Trump into victory lane. To be clear, I do not want him to be our next president. Not at all. But in my view, the essence of Bernie’s message was to fight for one’s dearest principles even when popular opinion and public perception are coaxing him/her to do otherwise. I agree that Hillary would be preferable to Trump. But I’d rather go down with a sinking boat than stay afloat with my convictions lying on the ocean floor. And I cannot, in good conscience, vote for someone with such little regard for something as basic as the truth.

This is not to say that I am voting for Jill Stein merely because of my distaste for the two major candidates. If you’re not familiar with her, look her up. She’s the real deal. She knows her stuff inside and out. Her progressive vision is very similar to Bernie’s and she is not compromised or corrupted by outside influences. She is a genuine activist. Her biggest weakness is lack of experience, but... do I really have to outline the flaws in our other options?

So, even though Bernie has faded into the shadow of his former opponent, we should not forget what drew us to him in the first place. His idealism, his passion, his willingness to point the finger right in the eyes of the people pulling the strings. My advice to any and all Bernie supporters is: Don’t follow Bernie, the man. Follow the courage that he inspired you to embrace in yourself.

I understand the consequences. But I will not allow my fear to outweigh my conviction. Not for Trump, not for Hillary, and not even for Bernie.