Dear Privileged America
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Dear Privileged America

Let this be clear: "We" does not include you right now.

3
Dear Privileged America
fusion.net

Dear Privileged America,

It is 2016, and your people are broken. Your system is corrupt. Your water is dirty, your air is polluted. You are burning bridges more often than you build them. Every day you are one step closer to imploding. That begs the question: What happens in November? What happens to us if you elect a man that stands for everything America isn't. A liar. A cheater. A racist, cowardly, unintelligent, con artist.

Our world will be over.

This is a call for change. It is a plea; a cry for help. It isn't too late. We are a beautiful country. Not because of our foundation, but because of our diversity.

Still, we are in danger. But let this be clear: "We" does not include you right now. You are in no danger. You will wake up each morning completely unaffected by the changes that will occur. You will eat your breakfast, drink your coffee, and watch us on the news.

If you aren't "we," you must be wondering who else could possibly be important enough to be part of such an inclusive word.

We are...

black, we are white, we are Mexican and every minority. We are the children of undocumented immigrants — no, we are the children of hard workers. We are gay men and women whose right to love freely is at stake. We are transgendered people that fear doing something as simple as using the bathroom. We are women — not "dogs" or "fat pigs" — and we are worth more than our bodies, the bodies you are trying to control. We are victims of rape who get shamed while your white kid gets defended in court for violating us. We are refugees who just want a safe place to call home. We are 20-somethings who can barely afford rent, even though we work forty plus hours a week. We are newly married couples who want to adopt, but can't, because "kids of same-sex parents are more prone to mental illness." What is that illness exactly? Love. We are drug addicts who want nothing more than to be clean, but are thrown in jail instead of treated for our illness. We are black men and women, killed at two and a half times the rate of you. We are teenagers who wake up each morning, dreaming of the day we don't wake up, because their parents are forcing us to attend conversion therapy for the "sin" that we aren't committing. We are peaceful protesters met by the brutal hands of your police, who just don't know when to stop. We are students so crippled with debt that we would have been better off not furthering our educations, but we had to, because you told us that without it, we are lazy, useless, nothing. We are the elderly. We are the retirees who fear that we won't be able to receive the medical assistance we need. We are the poverty stricken, the inner-city, the homeless, who desperately need a chance to thrive. We are the grandparents who fear that our grandchildren will be raised in a world that knows no love. We are the immigrants whose families are at risk of being torn apart simply because we lack a few pieces of paper. We are veterans who don't get the health care or recognition we deserve, but instead are belittled by a man you want as our president- a man who had multiple deferments because he couldn't handle fighting for the country he now wishes to run. We are the police force, being militarized because of the stigma surrounding black people. We are Orlando, Sandy Hook, Dallas, and every other city tortured and defeated because of a lack of gun safety. We are here. We are valid. We are fighting.

Dear Privileged America,

It is 2016, and wedemand change.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

66285
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

42805
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

966561
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments