I pledge allegiance:
to the anger coursing through my veins, making the tears fall but forcing my head up high.
I pledge allegiance:
to my friend who wears the hijab, and has stayed home from school since Wednesday in fear of what might happen.
to my friends who are citizens of this nation, but are still afraid they'll get deported because their skin color isn't white.
to my friends who are afraid they'll get sent to conversion camps, or worse, killed because of their sexuality because according to the new Trump administration, it's something they choose.
I pledge allegiance:
to women everywhere. May you never doubt the warrior beat running through your bodies, the constant thrum of tiredness over proving yourself time and time again. You are worthy. You are wonderful.
I pledge allegiance:
to the future of America. May you never know the agony of voting for one person to preserve your rights and having the other candidate want to take them away. May you grow up strong in your belief that your opinion matters, and that your voice deserves to be heard.
I pledge allegiance:
to the sexual assault and rape victims. To those alive, and to those who are not. You are worth so much more than you have been given. I know it's been so hard, and I know how much harder it is knowing our soon to be president is a rapist and perpetrator of sexual crimes. But I see you. You matter.
I pledge allegiance:
to the veterans of every branch of the military, and to those currently serving. You are strong and amazing for protecting this country, no matter if you've been captured or not, no matter if elected officials say you are weak or not. You protect our country and our rights, our freedoms. I thank you.
I pledge allegiance:
to my queer brother and sisters.To those who are not the "norm" whether in sexuality or gender or romantics. I know how scared you are, because we are facing a presidency that's going to erase so much of the good work that Obama has done for us. But the change will not stop unless we let it. And I believe in us.
I pledge allegiance:
to those people of color. I don't think race should matter, but this world is astonishingly racist, and so it does. I don't know your pain, and I'm not going to pretend I do. But I promise to fight for you, to use my privilege to help you whenever I can. You're all beautiful, and amazing, and don't let anyone tell you any different.
I pledge allegiance:
To the United State of America, but not the United States of Hate.
Not the United States of racism, homophobia, islamophobia, xenophobia, and sexism.
Not the United States of Trump's latest business venture.
I pledge allegiance:
To my country, to justice, to everyone but Trump, but Pence, but leaders who try and take away the rights people have had to kick and scratch for, for years.
I will not pledge allegiance to him. He may soon be President, but he is not my President.
I pledge allegiance:
To the flag of the United States of America,
A flag which stands for freedom, for liberty, and for justice.
And to the republic, for which it stands
A country that holds the same values of that flag. A country that's made of immigrants. A country that became a country because we were tired of being oppressed.
One Nation, Under God
But let us not forget that the United States, has no official religion, and has no official language. But we have the freedom to believe in what we want to believe. And I pray to a God I don't believe in that doesn't change.
Indivisible
Except when confronted by hate, except when a big white man barges in, who promises he's better than the most qualified person to ever run for President, just because she's a woman. Except when we're told our protests are tearing our country apart when it was those who voted for a particular candidate that did that. Except when I'm yelled at for daring to be who I want. Except...Except...Except...
With Liberty and Justice For All.
No conditions. No astericks. For all. Let us not forget that, today or ever.
