In November, I will cast my first-ever vote in a national election, and I must say, what an interesting election to mark that milestone. This election has proven to be bizarre, contentious, and polarizing, with the concept of civil discourse seemingly thrown out the window, plus that minor little detail that Donald Trump is the presidential nominee for a major political party, which still has many Americans pinching themselves and praying to wake up.

I was an early supporter of Bernie Sanders, and "felt the Bern" along with many of my college peers for awhile. When it became evident that he wouldn't be the Democratic nominee, I shared many Americans' frustration with the prospective presidential candidates with which they were presented. I was conflicted about who to grant that momentous first vote, and disillusioned with the election in general. So, I withdrew from the discourse surrounding the elections, and considered not publicly disclosing my candidate of choice.

But true to my outspoken nature, I couldn't shy away from contributing to the conversation. So, after some deliberation, I have decided to vote for Hillary Clinton in November.

Before I am bombarded with an inevitable barrage of metaphorical middle fingers, allow me to make my case. Then you can flip me off.

First off, I don't believe that there is an easy choice in this election. I also believe that many of the frustrations among Bernie supporters and third-party voters have some validity to them. I agree that there's something fishy about how during the primaries, some states granted Bernie the popular vote, but Hillary received more delegates in those same states. I believe that the political establishment erases third parties, by denying them a place on the national debate stage, and granting all of the attention to the Democratic and Republican candidates. This results in the American people not being fully educated on all of their options, and feeling forced into this false dichotomy of liberal or conservative.

I also believe that our current political system does not work for the American people. Corporate money has too much of an influence on our political system and the elected officials who are supposed to represent us, which is why we're seeing an increasing concentration of wealth to the wealthiest in our nation, and why ordinary Americans are disillusioned with politics. There is a noticeable disconnect between elected officials and the American people, because the American people feel that they can't relate to politicians, and that they don't represent them. This was partially why Bernie struck a chord among the American people, because he appealed to that disillusionment.

And I understand how that disillusionment with the political establishment translates into disdain for Hillary Clinton, because she is essentially a textbook establishment politician, a quality that took on dark undertones during the primaries, when Clinton's campaign donations from private prisons and pharmaceuticals and paid speeches for Goldman Sachs came up in debates. How much those donations would influence her decisions as President, I'm not sure. She has vowed to overturn the Citizens United v. F.E.C. Supreme Court decision, a sign of Bernie's influence pushing her left, so let's hope that she makes good on that promise.

Her foreign policy is a similarly mixed bag. She has her experience as Secretary of State going for her, making her something of a rarity, as a presidential candidate with previous foreign policy experience. She also has impressive diplomatic skills, as she displayed during negotiations with Iran, which many consider influential in bringing Iran to the table for talks that ultimately led to the Iran nuclear deal. With that being said, the assessment of her as a foreign policy hawk is not an inaccurate one, and in my reading about her, I've observed a strong willingness to utilize military force. She also tows the party line on U.S. relations with Israel, endorsing regimes that reinforce Israeli occupation of the Gaza strip and the West Bank and the ensuing oppression of the Palestinians.

Thus, I understand the impulse to vote third party, or to write in Bernie or another candidate. But here's the reality: Jill Stein is not going to be our next President. Gary Johnson is not going to be our next President. And Bernie Sanders definitely is not going to be our next President.

Our next President will be either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. That's the reality, whether you like it or not.

Third-party votes, or write-ins, by Bernie supporters would likely have no impact other than potentially taking votes away from Hillary, and thus granting the presidency to Trump.

That, to me, is reason enough to vote for Hillary. Before you rashly vote third party, write in, or even sit out the election in protest, it's worth checking your privilege. How much would a Trump presidency affect you? For me, as a middle-class, white, cisgender male, I may be more shielded from the impact of a Trump presidency. But someone who is poor, or a person of color, or a Muslim, or a combination of the three might feel the effects in a significant way.

The statement, "Don't let fear dictate your vote," is, in my opinion, one made from a position of privilege. Concerning the rights of the marginalized, Donald Trump has either vowed to roll them back or displayed complete nonchalance, chose a running mate notorious for rolling back rights as governor, and would likely appoint individuals to his cabinet and the Supreme Court who would do the same. And when one considers how Trump has incited his supporters at rallies, bringing out virulent (and sometimes violent) displays of bigotry, and how his rise has empowered David Duke, former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, to run for office again, it's reasonable that those on the receiving end of such bigotry would have a chill sent up their spine, and be motivated to vote against this guy inciting those attitudes that threaten them.

Hillary Clinton may not be as progressive as I would prefer, but she would be far better for the marginalized in the United States than would Trump. On some issues, she's a true progressive. She takes a hard-line stance in favor of stricter gun control measures, a position on which she had an edge over Bernie in debates. Her endorsement from Planned Parenthood is also not undeserved; throughout her career, she has maintained a consistent record of supporting reproductive rights, as well as other women's rights such as pay equity.

But this doesn't mean those who have qualms about Hillary's slow progression on certain issues should feel the need to keep silent. In fact, they should feel all the more reason to speak up, not to speak out against Hillary, but to hold her accountable. It cannot be ignored that Hillary, if elected, would be our first female President, which would become a milestone in American history. But I don't want our first female President to be known for just that. I want her to truly stand for social progress in the United States, and stand for all groups of people who have historically been erased and underrepresented in our country, who have yet to see one of their own become President.

So, in November, I will step into the ballot box and cast my first-ever national vote for Hillary Rodham Clinton. But I will do so with the intent of holding her to the promises that she has made. I'm putting my faith in you, Hillary. Don't take it for granted.