The "white nationalist" AKA nazi/domestic terrorism rally that took place in Charlottesville, Virginia this past weekend is an absolute disgrace to our nation. This rally and other hate group rallies are where the ugliest, awful and most evil humans gather. The rally in Charlottesville became so ugly that a 20-year old guy (I refuse to mention his name) plowed a car into a group of peaceful anti-nazi protesters, killing 32-year old Heather Heyer and injuring 35 others, according to Al-Jazeera.

Ever since Trump was elected (I refuse to refer to him as the president), hate crimes have increased in the United States. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, a total of 1,064 bias related incidents were reported in the month following the 2016 president election. That number since increased. To get a detailed account of all of the hate crimes, check out "Hate in America: An Updating List" by Slate Staff.

Ever since the the horrific incidents in Charlottesville took place this weekend, three reported hate crime incidents have taken place too close to home, including one right in my backyard.

Earlier in the week, someone posted a picture of a noose hanging off of a swing set at Glenside School in Muskegon. That picture quickly circulated and the incident is being investigated by the Muskegon Police Department. According to the Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Justin Jennings denounced the hate crime, stating the symbol "will not be tolerated" and wrote a letter to parents and staff. I hope they catch this sick son of a bitch sooner rather than later.

The photo above shows the noose hanging from the swing set. It is disgusting and evil. The original Facebook post pointing out the incident has since been deleted for unknown reasons. I am angry, disappointed, disgusted, and enraged that this occurred. There is no excuse for this act or behavior. The fact that someone committed this heinous act at playground where children are present is highly disturbing.

The second incident occurred in Grand Rapids where someone hung a nazi flag on the I-196 overpass earlier this week. According to MLive, a man put the flag up on Monday evening and police quickly took it down. I am sickened knowing these scumbags live near me and these people may be your neighbor, coworker or relative. How awful of a thought is that?

The third incident occurred in Alpine Township near Grand Rapids on Tuesday, August 15. Swastikas were spray painted on dumpsters in a man's yard. According to MLive article, the man is in a dispute with the township over the dumpsters being on his property. He denies spray painting the swastikas on the dumpsters and said that anyone could have done it. Whoever did it is a horrible person.

I am horrified knowing these awful people are coming out of the woodwork because Trump hasn't denounced the KKK/white supremacy. Even though he "condemned" the rally in Charlottesville two days too late, he has white nationalists such as Steve Bannon working for him in the White House and blames the "alt left" for violence that was committed by members (nazis) of the alt-right. Well known Klansman/racist David Duke applauded Trump's remarks. The ignorant and racist Tomi Lahren, former annoying loud piece for right wing propaganda machine The Blaze, had the audacity to compare the "Unite Right" rally to Black Lives Matter, which is not even comparable by any means. These people are only making matters worse.

Trump is a disgrace and a joke. Let's not forget the fact that he was shouting about building a wall and deporting immigrants during the course of his campaign. His blatant disregard for People of Color has given the green light for the KKK, nazis, white nationalists and hate groups to commit these hate crimes and spread hateful rhetoric in this country and their communities.

If the leader of a nation talks so openly about encouraging violence and spewing hateful rhetoric, then the citizens of that nation who do hold such terrible beliefs are going to go public with their beliefs.

According to the SPLC, there are 917 active hate groups in the United States. 917. Let that number sink in for a minute. Nearly 1,000 hate groups exist in the United States in 2017. This is NOT RIGHT. This is NOT OKAY.

I'm so angry and upset about everything that I'm going to state this and I don't care at this point if people take offense because so many of us are in danger: If you voted for Trump, YOU share responsibility for this hateful, violent and unstable environment we are now living in. YOU share responsibility for the increase in hate crimes and the deaths that result from these hate crimes. YOU share responsibility for people being deported and ripped away from their families. YOU share responsibilityfor the discrimination and hate crimes against People of Color, the LGBTQ community, women and immigrants. Because of your ignorance and carelessness, people are dying and we might go to war with North Korea. If you voted your Trump and you end up losing your health insurance, your job or your home, just remember that you played a role in that by marking his name on the ballot in 2016. You weren't thinking. You hurt yourself and you hurt countless fellow Americans. I know many people who voted for Trump regret their decision; it's all fine and well to share your remorse now, but you should have done your homework before November 8, 2016. This is also on you.

Also, why would you vote for a reality TV star to be the leader of our country? That's the equivalent of a bartender doing open heart surgery. I am well aware that my words to people who voted for Trump are cold and callous, but look at what state this country is in during the year of 2017. It's 2017 and it feels like we've traveled back in time to 1957. We are fighting nazis and the NAACP of Missouri even issued a travel warning to People of Color because their civil rights might be violated.

THIS IS NOT OKAY. THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

There's hate in my hometown and I'm NOT okay with it. This has to stop and we have to do what we can to make it stop. If you have the money or time, donate to the ACLU, the National Lawyers Guild, GoFundMe and other similar accounts for the victims of the Charlottesville rally violence, the Southern Poverty Law Center. If you don't have money, volunteer for a local chapter of the ACLU or another social group in your area. Call/write your senators about bills that harm women and People of Colors to let them know you oppose them.

We can't let this continue. We need to fight back and let these assholes know they aren't welcome in my hometown, your hometown or anywhere in the United States of America.

This is not the America I know and love and I'm sure it isn't your America either. Don't let hate win.