Now Is Not The Time To Be Silent
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Politics and Activism

Now Is Not The Time To Be Silent

Take a look at yourself before looking at this election.

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Now Is Not The Time To Be Silent

I've been wanting to write an article on the upcoming presidential election for a while, but I never really knew what angle I wanted to take. What do people need to hear? What can I say? What do I have to offer to the table? Ideas have been going through my head for weeks and nothing was sticking. Then the other day I came across a book I read years ago, Night by Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor. This autobiography is a brilliant, raw, emotional piece of writing and I remembered loving all of these amazing quotes from the book. So I read through them and there was one quote that really hit me. And then it clicked. And I started writing.

"We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must- at that moment - become the center of the universe. " -Elise Wiesel

If being in journalism and going to a Jesuit school has taught me anything, it is to always ask why and to look at things objectively.

So before looking at this election, look at yourself. Question yourself. And then speak. But only before you look.

Take A Look At Your Past/Upbringing/Environment

So many of us are brought up to be affiliated with a particular political party. It is hard to disagree with what our parents think, because, well, they are our parents. They know everything right? Their experiences and thoughts are priceless to us. But we need to recognize that we are not our parents. They are different people than you. They have grown up in a different time with different situations. And although they can offer great insight, when looking at this election, try to separate yourself from your family and just see the world just from your eyes. Just from your experiences. People you have met. Situations you have been in. Issues you have dealt with. So often we are told what to think because of how we grew up, or what we look like. It's so easy for us to get caught up in how others are thinking and just go along with what others are saying. Over and over again I have seen people boast with such pride about their stance without even thinking about another perspective. Take yourself down a couple of pegs. Recognize the environment you have grown up in. Do you think if you had grown up in a different house or family, your views would be different? Open-mindedness is key when it comes to making smart decisions. Stop thinking the way you do because you were told to. Think for yourself. Then speak. Then vote.

Take A Look At Your Future

Although all the jokes and tweets and GIFs are entertaining. This is serious. This is our country. This is not a joke, and not something to take lightly. In the span of history, will your grandchildren and great grandchildren be proud of your actions during this election season? Will they benefit from the stance you take today? Will they be proud to say you stood behind this candidate? How will our country look moving forward because of the say you had? Think for your children/future children/future life. Knowledge matters. Look at every possible perspective and side of an issue. Try as hard as you can to know the things you don't. Then speak. Then vote.

Take A Look At Your Values

I once was a part of a leadership activity we were given 90 cards with different values on them, for example family, community, genuine, love, work ethic and humor. Then we had to cut it down to our top 50 values, then our top 25, then our top 10, then our top 5. This really made me think about what is important to me in this life. Trying to pick the top five values you have in your life is so difficult, but it also helped me recognize the type of person/leader I am and what type of life I want. It is so important to take a look at your values. Not just our values as individuals, but our values as a country. Your values and our values will determine what type of people America will present to the world. Respect all opinions and listen to them. Respect all backgrounds. We must listen and communicate with one another. Talk to your peers, talk to your parents, ask them about what they know, question what they know. We tend to be so quick to judge a candidate because of what we hear through the grapevine. Dig deeper. Look at all sides of issues and candidates. Think big picture. Do not be a one issue voter. Think of our country. Then speak. Then vote.

It is unfortunate that our country was put in this situation. The 2016 presidential election is one of the most abnormal in history, our choices seem very obscure and the truth is very hard to grasp because we are constantly getting information thrown at us from a multitude of mediums. But these are the cards we were dealt. And we have to deal. And we have to be smart. I am a very nonconfrontational person, and I know how much courage it takes to stand up, even when you know it is not how everyone feels. Now is not the time to disappear into the shadows because you are scared to stand up.

I have thought. And now I will speak. I will not be silent.

I have been watching this election thoroughly from the start. And with every candidate, every issue, every debate and each convention, one thoughtful man comes to mind. Elie Weisel.

"Neutrality helps the oppressor never the victim. When human lives are endangered...

"If I say do it, they're going to do it. That's what leadership is all about." - Donald Trump

"26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men and women together?"- Donald Trump

when human dignity is in jeopardy...

"He's not a war hero. He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured." - Donald Trump on Sen. John McCain as a "war hero"

"It's very hard to be a ten if you are flat-chested."- Donald Trump

"I did try and f--- her. She was married. And I moved on her like a b----, but I couldn't get there...And when you're a star, they let you do it...Grab them by the p--y, you can do anything."- Donald Trump

national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant...

"I will build a great wall -- and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me- and I'll build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words."- Donald Trump

wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views.

"He's a Mexican. We're building a wall between here and Mexico. The answer is, he is giving us very unfair rulings - rulings that people can't even believe." - Donald Trump comments on federal judge, Gonzalo Curiel, born in Indiana.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with is. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're bringing rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." - Donald Trump

that place must- at that moment - become the center of the universe."

Our country must now become the center of the American people's universe.

This isn't about Democrat vs. Republican. I value and support certain principles in both parties. This is about the intellect of a candidate. This is about human decency.

Yes, words do matter. What you say matters. A country lead with character matters. What he has said has undeniably shocked me on such a personal level. We can't just ignore this. Ignoring what he says and does because it doesn't directly affect us is what we have been taught not to do our whole lives. Not just as a woman, but as a human being I feel like I have a responsibly to stand up. And you can disagree with me, that is okay. That is a democracy.

But you know what isn't democracy? Using our fears against us. Using words to divide us. Yes. Words matters. Actions matter. And the words that he says matters, but the fact that he actively continues to say them matters more. He can make mistakes. He can take these things he has said back. He can apologize over and over again. He can redeem himself. He can even change his ideas and thoughts. He can say all the right things. He can make great points. And we can forgive him and believe him. But, in the end. He didn't think. He willingly continues to speak and act this way. Over and over again. Where is the intellect? Where is the decency?

Forget that what he says is an insult to people of all races, religions and genders. Forget that what he says has already put millions of families, children and parents in uncomfortable positions. Forget that these things he says aren't one-time mistakes. Forget all that. Right now, what matters is that what he has said and continues to say is not smart. That is it. It is not smart. It's irrational. It shows no control. It shows no intellect. It shows no dignity. We are better than that. These are basic standards of human decency. And I believe and was taught that living a life and living in a country full of and lead with dignity is something that I must strive and fight for.

"Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. " - Lao Tzu

It matters that he doesn't think before speaking. Because not thinking before speaking turns into not thinking before acting.

Take a look at yourself. Take a look at others. Take a look at our country. Then speak. Then vote.

http://www.politifact.com

https://www.donaldjtrump.com

https://www.hillaryclinton.com

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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