I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I like to give people a chance to prove themselves and show that maybe, just maybe, they’re not as bad as what I thought they would be. After all, if I were in their shoes, I would want a chance too, so why not give that same courtesy to others? Of course, I’ve been burned in the past for ignoring red flags that warn me of possible harm, but this time, no matter how many red flags there were, a choice was made for me and for my country, so I figured the best thing I could do was give support for unity and for America.

So yes, I did give Donald Trump a chance. This man is about to lead us for the next four years, and, a week ago, chances were half his plans for this country wouldn’t go through anyway. Unfortunately, as we rounded out the first week of the Trump administration, a significant part of me wondered why I gave him a chance in the first place. I’m not surprised that this is happening. I’m not surprised by the orders he’s rolling out. But I am concerned.

Going into this new presidency, I wasn’t particularly worried about myself. I’m a privileged member of our society, and I can acknowledge that. I’m straight, I’m white and I have a college education, just to name a few of those privileges, so in comparison to others, I have very little to worry about. I’m more concerned about the people currently unable to come into our country because of a ban. I’m more concerned about my friends who feel threatened by this administration, whether it’s because of their sexual orientation or race. I’m worried about the young people who now believe that, because our president says hurtful things, it is okay to say hurtful things to others, and I’m worried about those they hurt.

I have no right to be worried about myself when there are so many worse off, but now, after this first week, a part of me is.

With each passing day, it seems that the chance I gave President Trump to prove himself, even after I voted to put someone else in office, was a misguided one. Where some of his orders don’t affect me directly, a few do. The recommended cutting of the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities would actually cut funding for both of the programs I am going to school for. It directly impacts my future ability to go to grad school and any future career I might have hoped to have. These chances, just by simply cutting a few cents from each American and putting them to use building a wall, means that I, along with many of my friends and colleagues, might not have a job. I might not be able to afford a home or food or healthcare, just like millions of other Americans who have lost their own rights because of other Trump policies.

I didn’t think I would be in danger at the beginning of this year, and to be honest, I still feel relatively safe. I’m privileged, but while it’s only four years, I’m certain that these four years will change us all. No one is truly safe from this administration, and if it’s only been a week, I’m terrified to think of what is yet to come.