Mr. Trump,
In the recent months I have paid close attention to the candidates running to be the next leader of our country, and arguably one of the most powerful people in the world. While I appreciate your efforts and obvious passion to “make America great again,” (even though it’s already pretty stinkin’ great) I am not able to support your campaign for president. I have actually “fired” you from even being on my personal ballot. You are an incredible business man and I commend you for that, but you are not the kind of leader that America needs. You are divisive, disrespectful and insensitive. I have watched you speak during the debates and followed your Twitter account to find out more about you, and I cannot put into words the sense of uncertainty and worry I have when I consider the thought of you acting as the president of the United States.
I have been consistently shocked and disappointed in your lack of respect and seemingly misogynistic and racist attitude. I understand that political races can sometimes get ugly, but your consistent degradation of your opponents both men and women are childish, disheartening and quite frankly unprofessional. The most recent headlines highlight your rally in New Mexico in which you attacked New Mexican Governor, Susana Martinez (the nation’s only Latina governor), after she could not attend the rally labeling her with the nickname “goofy.” Another instance is your feud with Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts senator (D), who indicated she had Native American heritage which resulted in you assigning her the nickname “Pocahontas.” You have made generalizations about those who are not white and statements revolving around border control and immigration that are nothing more than hateful words. Your statements regarding those of different races/religions/belief systems worry me because as president you will be required to diplomatically engage with those individuals and you have given me no indication that you are capable of doing so. Name calling and racist dialogue are inappropriate behavior for anyone to participate in, but are especially inappropriate for you as a potential presidential candidate. You should be working to further unite the country not divide it. Perhaps my largest fear is that if you are given the privilege of serving as POTUS America will revert back to its old ways of viral and wide spread racism, misogyny, and the social structure we currently know will disappear completely.
Outside of name calling there are multiple instances in which you have publicly sexualized and degraded women ranging from making insulting comments about TV personalities such as comedian Rosie O’Donnell, reporter Megyn Kelly and actress Sarah Jessica Parker to suggesting that sex appeal and beauty are the most important things a woman can offer. Mr. Trump, you are sadly mistaken. The gender gap in this country extends far past a paycheck and I am disappointed in you because you are perpetuating those unfair attitudes. I expect better from someone who could be the president. You are a powerful man who has the influence to make a positive change, but as of right now your power and influence are being used to perpetuate archaic and sickening ideas about women. As a young voter and a young woman I would like to encourage you to recognize how hardworking, successful and valuable the women in America are. Women have overcome many obstacles to progress into our current place in society despite the inconsistencies and occasional prejudices that affect them, and I refuse to vote for a candidate who I feel will further set our country back by perpetuating misogynistic attitudes.
Please understand that while we disagree on many issues I do not think you are a terrible person, but rather wildly misguided. Unfortunately, I cannot and will not support you in your pursuit of the Oval Office due to the issues discussed above. I wish you the best in future endeavors.
Sincerely,
Hayley Howard
