For most of us, this election has been somewhat of a joke - until it wasn't. This election year brought out some truly heinous actualizations. It has brought out the worst in people. It has crippled America by dividing us entirely.
Black people have been told to "go back to Africa." People have defaced public property, writing "whites only" and using racial slurs. It seems as if our country has traveled back in time. There is no excuse for this type of behavior.
Women wearing hijabs have been told, "your time is up," and their lives have been threatened by strangers.
A video surfaced on the internet of a middle school lunch room chanting, "Build the Wall", upsetting their Latino classmates.
There are people actually getting up in arms about those who are genuinely freaking out about this. They are calling them "liberal crybabies," and saying, "If you don't like it, get out," all while defending themselves and saying, "Not ALL republicans are racist."
I am here to say, no, you aren't. All of us "bleeding heart" liberals don't think that ALL republicans are racist, sexist, and homophobic. However, I think that those of us that aren't standing up for those who are being discriminated against are just as bad. I think that despite our political differences, we can all acknowledge the wrong that is being done in our country. Donald Trump is no longer the problem, it is his crazed voters. The Westboro Baptist of voters. The extremists. The people who are spouting racial slurs and spray painting swastikas on the sides of buildings (yes, this is actually happening).
No, we are not crying because our candidate did not win. People are freaking out because they are being threatened. Since the election, these extremists have felt a new sense of entitlement and it is downright terrifying.
As Americans, we should not just stand idly by and watch injustice happen. That would make us just as bad as those committing the injustice.
We must stand together, despite our differences to defend those whose voices are being shut out.
It is time to come together and spread the binding and unending love that our country desperately needs rather than the hatred that far too often tears this country apart.
- A "Bleeding Heart Crybaby" Liberal
