Over the past 24 hours I have heard so many positive things in regards to women’s equality, equality for the LGBTQ community, different races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds. . . it’s truly inspiring to say the least. Tears actually filled my eyes while standing alongside 5000 other people in downtown Lexington surrounded and connected by nothing other than love and support for one another. When people peacefully come together to send a message about their passion and drive for something, there’s this overwhelming feeling that I can’t even begin to explain. I’m beyond grateful that I live in a time where it is possible to do these kinds of things, and to try and make a difference in the world.

On the other hand, I have heard so many negative things. People telling me that I was wasting my time marching for something that I believe in- that it won’t change anything, that women are already equal to men (literally LOL), and that I’m going a tad overboard. I’ve been called whiny, I’ve been called a crybaby, I’ve been called entitled, I’ve been told that being objectified by men is not a part of rape culture and I’ve read that not supporting Trump makes you an idiot.

Unfortunately, I am an educated person, and I am entitled to my own opinion. I do not want Trump to fail, I have accepted the fact that he is my president, but I am in opposition of him. If you agree with him, great. If you think he’s the best thing for this nation, props to you. I, however, do not agree with things he says, and I will not bow under him or be silenced because of what I believe. It truly breaks my heart that people can overlook his racist, misogynistic remarks.

And about the objectifying women comment, I’d like you to be a 5’1 female living in Lexington, KY, and try to tell me some of the things I’ve experienced are alright. There’s hardly ever a time I can walk down the street without having some guy yell out a window at me. There was this one time at a restaurant that a man came up to my friends and I, and told us that we were sexy as hell and had thick asses that he’d like a piece of. Or there was this one time my friend and I were waiting on the sidewalk for another friend to bring us something, and a car pulled up and proceeded to tell us that they were our uber and for us to get in. Are any of these situations okay? I don’t think so. But they happen, because our society normalizes it. These are seriously just a fraction of what I’ve experienced over the past 5 months.

I come from the middle of nowhere, and while I was there, these weren’t issues I’d face on a daily basis, so I understand how it’s easy for people to be misinformed on the matter, or to think it’s not really as bad as it is. The thing is, though, life isn’t just about you. It’s about those around you. It’s about those on the other side of the world that you will never know, but maybe, just maybe, your voice can make a difference for. Our lives are so small in the grand scheme of things, and all I want is for everyone to get the opportunity for a good life.

I am privileged. We live in a society that is wired for me to have privileges that others don’t, solely because I am white, and on top of that, I am getting a top-notch education. I’d like to use the little privilege I have to speak for those who have none. For those living in different countries that don’t even have half of the rights I have. The thing is, though, I’m also a female living in a patriarchy. I’ll be thrown into the real world in a couple of years, and the thought of being held back due to my sex actually blows my mind. I want nothing more than to have equality-equal opportunity, equal pay. I’m baffled with the amount of people that misunderstand this. I don’t want to be held higher than men, but I do want to be on the same playing field. I want to live in a world that doesn’t look at me as weaker or less capable than my male counterparts. I want to live in a world where I don’t have to carry pepper spray on my lanyard because I’m scared a man might try to take advantage of me. I want to live in a world where all of my friends of different race, religion, ethnicity, sexuality, etc. can walk wherever they want without being discriminated against.

There are just so many things I felt needed to be shared with the world, and if this doesn’t make much sense I’ll apologize, just ask me about it in person and I can tell you everything that I believe. I just want everyone to know they are important. Their lives are important, their stories are important, and their rights are important. If you feel like I’m too much, please take a second to reflect on your life, and the people you love, and how society affects them. Call me a snowflake, call me a crybaby, call me whatever, but I won’t stop standing up for what I believe in.