I was born with little that would shape me into a social pariah. I have more or less been handed the tools that build a successful member of society. AKA I am a middle-class Caucasian, which is more or less the norm where I was raised. I am from Smalltown USA with about as much diversity as the White House.
There are so few African Americans in my community that the “N-word is a part of the regular vocabulary of many (non-black) citizens. In a heavily conservative area, I am one of a handful of left-wing teens. Due to this, nearly every opinion or belief of mine is violently countered.
In March, I was a member of a small group of students that organized a school walkout in protest of gun violence. Due to the strong pro-gun presence in my area, in an attempt to unify we did all we could to create a peaceful anti-school violence rally, not anti-gun rally.
Despite this, there was still a large opposing presence. Police had to be present due to fear for our, the leaders, safety. Students showed up dressed head-to-toe in MAGA and American flag gear, ready to heckle. They never got their opportunity, however, since no speech even contained the word gun.
This was one of the most terrifying, but rewarding experiences I have ever had.
My AP Government class is predominantly conservative. Every other school day I engage in debates I attempt to begin peacefully, but end with my blood boiling. I normally get along well with those who have differing views than mine, and actually, love to hear others opinions.
However, the underlying ignorant racism in that class is too much for me to handle calmly.
Still, I will not back down. I will not be silenced. Growing up with so few peers that agree with me, only with those who attempt to put me down, has made my voice even stronger. The easy route would be to stay silent in class, not attend protests and rallies, refrain from posting my views online.
I never have and never will take this route.
Growing up in such an environment should have made me hostile, and adverse to the opinions of those on the other side of the political spectrum. Yet, it has done the precise opposite.
Some of my best friends are Republicans, whom I still manage to find much common ground with. I have spent hours calmly discussing policy with Trump supporters, protesting outside the California capitol building. Living in this community has allowed me to be more open to the ideas of others, and in turn, promote progress.
In our currently divided country, I urge everyone to do the same, so that we may move forward as a nation and as humanity. Only with compromise can we generate change.
