As a college student, I find it extremely difficult to show any part of my political views without receiving any kind of backlash or shaming. I intentionally avoid talking politics with even my closest friends, and I will never ever tell anyone how I felt about the 2016 election results.
But, I love history.
As soon as I found out that President Trump was coming to my campus I knew I wanted to attend the rally. I didn't care what classes I might miss, how long I wanted in line, or even about the weather. I NEEDED to be there.
As I went to class on the 21st, I knew that was I was about to experience that afternoon was going to be eye-opening, and potentially dangerous.
It was 2:18 p.m. when I got in line for the rally that started at 6:30. Fellow students glared and yelled profanities as they watched the line get longer and longer. Ant-Trump music was blaring from dorm rooms.
While I got told I was "going to hell" for attending the rally, I never once got asked why I decided to spend my Friday waiting for and attending it.
So here's why I decided to go.
First of all, how many times in our life do we get to see a sitting President in person, for free? The only thing this event cost me was my time. I was able to walk to the event and walk home. Who would not want to go?
Secondly, there is so much historical value and things to learn from going to a political rally. Historically speaking, there is so much value in attending these events and learning first hand what is said. After I left I didn't run home and check biased news sources because I was there and I witnessed it.
Thirdly, I learned so much about people. My university is considered a liberal university, but there was a large representation of liberals and conservatives at the event. Whether they were protesting, people watching, or trying to see the rally, 30,000+ people showed on Missouri State's campus.
It didn't matter whether they support Trump or not, they knew there was some kind of value in attending.
Not to burst any bubbles but he is our President and we should take time to truly hear what he has to say.
So while I may be going to hell, according to the protestors, at least I'll be sitting in hell knowing I was informed.
