There's been a lot of political talk recently and, while voicing concerns is important, I want to take a step away (sort of). Much of the debate tends to focus on certain possibilities for multiple different groups (Muslims, LGBT, Immigrants) and I'm not here to tell you why or why not you should or shouldn't support something. I'm here with a very important message.
It's OK to be different.
We are members of the human race-Homo Sapiens. And yet, we view each other in different lights simply because of the color of our skin, who we love, and what we believe in. I want to take this time to remind you that it's OK to be different.
I know that many people are scared of what this election might bring for them. I have friends who are scared of being prosecuted for what they believe in or who they love. Now, I get it. People are different. No matter what you do there are differences. I don't look like you and you don't look like your friend. But at the end of the day, we are still one human race.
Personally, I don't understand prejudice. My general rule is I like you unless you're mean to me, in which case I don't like you anymore. But there are people out there who look at people and choose to be mean simply because they're different. I don't get it.
It's OK to be different because of your religion. It doesn't matter if you believe in one god, ten gods, no god, a god that has been resurrected, a god that hasn't. Whatever you believe, it's OK.
It's OK to be different because of who you love. It doesn't matter if you like guys or girls. Whether you are CIS, Transgender, or whatever else you may be. It's OK.
It's OK to be different because of your skin color. Caucasian, African-American, Asian, and many others. Whatever your skin color, it's OK.
I know by now you're probably sitting there saying "Yes, it's OK, but they don't know that". I know they don't. But when I logged onto Facebook on Wednesday I didn't see the end of the world. I didn't see 1950's America. What I saw was love. I saw people coming together to support each other. I saw a society of humans treating each other as humans.
I beg you, I implore you, I need you, to please keep loving one another. I really don't know what the future holds but I can tell you this: If we stick together, our love will trump hate. We can't stand idly by and allow things to happen to us. If something happens that jeopardizes any group of human beings, I'm confident that we will overcome whatever it may be.
So please, remember: It's OK to be different. Maybe you like guys instead of girls. Maybe you don't believe in God. Maybe you're the person who sings to themselves as they walk dow the sidewalk. Keep being you, and as long as that you is amazing, you will be loved.
