This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world, "No, you move." - Steve Rogers, "Captain America: Civil War"
In light of the recent Election Day, I have tried my hardest not to directly address politics in an effort to avoid potentially confrontational and aggressive conversation. However, perhaps to address the issue at the very core is a necessity at this point, and with that in mind, I fully disclose that I am a registered Republican.
What does being a Republican mean? Earlier this week, a particular Wordpress article by Cassie Hewlett caught my eye, which I believe describes what it means to be a Republican very well, and to echo Cassie Hewlett's words, I will attempt to further dispel the current typecast of being a member of the GOP.
I believe in the Constitution being the highest power, in the importance of family, in a protective military force and likewise, in the value of saying "thank you" to those who have served and are serving our country, that we should protect all walks of life. Of course, politics is politics, and they are controversial for a reason. There is no "right" answer to the issues shrouding our country, but perhaps this is a blessing, as the gridlock is a clear reflection of the diversity found in America.
On the night of the election, students were running down the hallway in my dorm building, sobbing, yelling-- denying the election of Donald Trump; I could hear the frustrated cussing from my room quite clearly... The next day, the college sent out an e-mail which encouraged students to come to class despite possibly being emotionally overwhelmed with the results-- the contact information of counseling services succinctly lined the ending of the e-mail. Being a student from Muhlenberg College, I am a conservative millennial in an indisputably liberal school, both in academics and in viewpoint-- and that is perfectly fine.
What's not fine is that we cannot so much as mention "I am a Republican" without being vehemently stereotyped as a homophobic, misogynistic, racist, and overall awful person by the media and some of our liberal peers. It absolutely breaks my heart to hear those words directed at me, because for the entirety of my life, I have striven to be none of those things-- especially, none of those things.
On a similar note, what's not fine is that some far right-winged citizens believe it is perfectly fine to spread hateful messages and instill fear in others simply because our elected president says hateful things without thinking of the consequences, because too many people are not thinking for themselves. In a perfect world, no decent human being should encourage such repulsive comments no matter his or her values...
I have witnessed both sides of the spectrum in my short time here at college, from a Democrat openly cussing out a Republican to a Republican essentially telling a sobbing and staunch Democrat regarding the conservative sweep across the government to cry harder... and these hurtful actions, are not fine.
Many of the incredible people I have befriended have different views than those of mine, many with the same views as those of mine, yet I still find myself enjoying the company of each and every one of them, no matter his or her political view. To emphasize Cassie Hewlett, "The controversy surrounding both candidates during this election took voting based on character out of the question. In my opinion, neither candidate has outstanding character." Personally, I am a Republican for reasons excluding Donald Trump's demeanor, and even then, I do not agree with all of the Republican values; I certainly do not agree with his hateful words and I am certainly not asking others to accept it blindly.
With that said, of course, I, and should many others, respect all views, all genders and sexual identities, races, people, as any decent human being would in spite of his or her political party; you are allowed to mourn, rejoice, voice your concern, celebrate, protest. We should not be afraid to be ourselves, to express free speech. However, I wholeheartedly encourage us to keep respect in mind for one another while doing so, from a Democrat to a Republican, from a Republican to a Democrat, from one human being to another.
