Let's not beat around the bush on what I'm about to write about. If you don't want to hear my opinion on this matter, please stop reading this article.
I feel more numb than angry. I am utterly depressed and completely embarrassed for what this country stands for.
If you voted for Trump, I take it personally. To the people who say "don't let politics interfere with friendships", I disagree. Who you vote for shows what type of person you are. It shows your values, what you believe in, and who/what you care about. You voted for hate. Period. You voted for white privilege. For capitalism. You voted for a pig. You voted to have rights taken from others. You voted for violence. You voted for a monster. I am affected. Many are affected. And you have contributed to the hatred. You are a part of the problem.
It is with a heavy heart today, that I say racism won. Hatred won. Bigots won. My rights as a non-Catholic, not straight, not cis white male, are lost. I am insulted. I am humiliated. This country is full of hatred, and just when we thought we were progressing and getting past it, we were proven wrong by a large amount of ignorance that is still weighing down this country.
It is not an "exaggeration" that I feel unsafe. It is not "over-dramatic" that I am terrified. This is the reality. This is what America was built on.
He is a narcissist ladies and gentlemen. He does not care about you. He only cares about making his pockets bigger, his heart smaller, his voice louder, and his name to have even a larger reputation. You supported a president who has degraded women, Muslims, LGBTQ+, Hispanics, the disabled, the different. But isn't that what America is? Aren't we the melting pot? Everyone in America is a descendant of an immigrant. And yet, people voted for a man who only cares about himself. You voted for a loud-mouth billionaire, and now you feel you are a part of something: to make America great again.
America is ALREADY great because it is full of diversity. We each embody different religions, sexualities, cultures, skin colors, stories, lives, and that is a POSITIVE thing. Not something to be afraid of. We should embrace the different.
I am afraid for my friends, classmates, coworkers, my fellow sisters, those who have had abortions, those who have experienced assault, those who have been hurt, all due to their gender, skin color or religion. I stand with you today and every day.
This country is moving 50 years back in history. Today, as a nation, we should be ashamed of our ignorance. I will not give up on moving forward in this country. I will not follow the pack. I am here and I'm not leaving. I am full of love, kindness, empathy and open-mindedness, and I am determined that we can get through this if we stand together. We must now prepare for our future. The future of us college students, the future children of America, and the future of this human race. Promote nothing but prosperity and acceptance. Never give up. Never settle. Keep moving forward. I am here for all of you.
