*DISCLAIMER: Potentially unpopular opinion below*
Every year, people of all ages prepare for the Fourth of July. We dress in the colors of the American Flag and get hyped for fireworks, BBQ'S, and ultimately, celebrating our freedom. However, in light of recent events, I'm not feeling as patriotic as usual. Since I was young, I've listened to, "I'm proud to be an American" on repeat throughout the day's events, but I'm starting to wonder; Should I be proud? Before people get defensive and say that I'm being disrespectful to those that fought for our freedom, let me say that there are things that I love about this country, and for the most part, we're very lucky to live here in the Land of the Free. Unfortunately, there are people in this country that don't feel free; Free to express themselves, be themselves, and live their lives.
1. Orlando
If you have been keeping up with the news, you should know about the shooting that took place at a gay club in Orlando, Florida just a few weeks back. Sadly, instead of mourning the loss of 49 HUMAN BEINGS, some people have been focused more on the fact that the victims were members of the LGBTQ community. How, in a nation so advanced, is it possible that people cannot feel comfortable being themselves in an area specifically for them? Also, it's important to note that a person's sexuality does not define them and make them any less of a person. I am disgusted by the people in this country that made remarks along the lines of that the victims deserved to be MURDERED because they were a part of the gay community. Fortunately, despite all the hate aimed towards the victims, there were Americans that made me regain a little bit of hope for our nation. Many fled to Orlando from their homes and other areas nearby to donate blood and more to save the lives of those injured. However, while it gave me a sliver of hope, I am still disappointed that in a time of suffering and grieving, people would make such rude remarks. More importantly, it greatly disappoints me that members of the LGBTQ community are not safe even in a sort of safe haven. Doesn't that make you feel ashamed of our nation? People are being killed simple because they are not heterosexual.
2. Gun control & the debate
First let me say, I do not care about your stance on the matter, and I don't care to share my personal stance. What I do care about is that men, women, and CHILDREN are dying because of these machines. I understand that we have the right to bear arms, but should we be permitted to carry assault rifles? Unsurprisingly, instead of attempting to negotiate between both sides of the debate, our Government is going to take the easier route and listen to what our founding fathers wrote centuries ago. Now, again, before anybody gets defensive, I am not part of the Government, and I understand it's not as easy as it may seem to regular citizens. However, there is most certainly something that could be done. No matter what way you look at it, people are dying and something needs to be arranged to end, or at least decrease, it.
3. "All Muslims are terrorists...just like all Jewish people are cheap and all Black men are dangerous."
-Disclaimer: These are common racial slurs and are not a representation of my personal beliefs.
Stereotypes will be the death of our country. The fear and discrimination of and against people of the Muslim community began following the attack on the Twin Towers in 2001. Since then, we, as a nation, have been weary around Muslims in fear that they might act out and harm us. While the stereotype has decreased incredibly over the years, the shooter involved in the case previously stated was also Muslim. As one can assume, this new case wiped out any progress made in the acceptance of Muslims as normal people and not terrorists. People should not be afraid to walk around their communities because of the color of their skin. To me, it's a simple concept; Hitler was white, but not all white people are as evil as Hitler just like there were Muslim terrorists but not everybody practicing that faith is a terrorist.
4. Brock Turner
Rape. This was a case that left a girl with an everlasting psychological damage and let a criminal go free. There is no such thing as ''20 minutes of action'' in this case or any case related to the performance of forced sexual actions or favors. This is a problem, America. Young, college athlete Brock Turner was left with six months in county jail after he raped a young woman in a parking lot after a party. That means, he could do it again. He could ruin somebody else's life. Additionally, the questions the young woman were asked all implied that it was her fault and that alcohol was his scapegoat. What does that mean for women across the nation? Should we ignore the 'it's never the victim's fault' campaigns as we head out to a party in fear that because a male has consumed too much alcohol, he has permission to do as he pleases with our bodies? That's no way to live. Mr.Turner should have been put in federal prison for what he has done, but even after years of progression we once again saw a case of privilege based upon wealth and skin color. As a nation we should be disgusted by the decisions made by the Judge overseeing this case and even more by the horrific things the young man's father said in his defense. Our courts are releasing criminals back onto our streets with little to no repercussions. How many more times does an incident of sexual assault need to occur for it to be recognized as a crime worthy of federal prison no matter who you are?
5. Target bathrooms
I won't say much on this topic, but I will say that I understand a certain extent of fear. I understand wanting safety for you wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters. However, that does not mean that a transgender woman will be looking to harm your loved ones. In all honesty, these people are human beings that are just looking to have somewhere to use the bathroom without being pointed out and ostracized. Will there be creeps with bad intentions? Probably. Are there creeps now that manage to do that stuff without these new changes? Of course. We shouldn't let one person out of hundreds ruin it for the LGBTQ community as a whole. We need to quite simply have faith that people that are a part of this community are goodhearted people just like you and I.
6. Political campaign
In my opinion, no matter who you vote for in this election...you're wrong. The candidates up for the Presidency are nothing short of unsettling and horrific. However, it is not the fact that I disagree with the candidates that makes me ashamed and disappointed. It's the racial and misogynistic slurs that are being spewed out of Donald Trump's mouth and the lies and secrets being exposed about Hillary Clinton. Ultimately, the worst part is that there are people that support even the worst things each candidate has done. There are people who have physically harmed others of the other party. For what? It's pathetic.
As for the candidates, Who would support somebody that makes comments about his daughter's good looks or a woman who allowed a man to be released after raping a female child? It's disgraceful how anybody could even consider these goons to be a good fit to replenish and, ultimately, run our country. Please take a look into everything each candidate has to offer and truly consider choosing the lesser of two evils. Regardless of who wins this election, there are going to be mass amounts of people targeted and, quite possibly, removed from the country that they have learned to call home.
At the end of the day...
People are going to have comments about this article and I understand that people have different opinions. In no way am I trying to force my personal stance on these matters onto you, however, I do feel strongly about every incident mentioned and have done my research about ALL of the them. There will most certainly be people that will say that I am just a 'kid' that doesn't know what she's talking about because she's too young. I can assure you, considering this is the time that I am growing up in and have to considerably make a life in, I tend to stay up-to-date on my research and opinions of matters such as those listed. More importantly, anybody who is even a half decent human being should understand and respect that people are different and should be able to embrace the freedoms their country has to offer. In the end, I will still be donning red, white, and blue and blasting my patriotic music on the Fourth of July, but let it be known that that does not mean that my disappointment in the nation as a whole has decreased. I can only hope that my generation will be the one's that make sure my little sister grows up in a world full of more accepting and fearless beings rather than a world of bigoted and ignorant ones.
