In the past, I have never really been into politics. I would push through history courses because I wanted to do well in school and not really because I cared about what I was being taught. I would take the notes. I would read the chapter. I would pass the test. It was all good. Then something happened. I began paying attention to the country, what was happening and why it was happening. My eyes were opened and there was no turning back.

The first time I remember anything political happening and being aware of its significance was almost eight years ago. I saw headlines about Barack Obama becoming the first African-American President of the United States. Though I was hardly 10 years old, I was proud of my country. I even remember my teacher rushing our class to the library to watch Obama’s inauguration a few months after that. Since then, I have had periods where I payed attention to politics for a few days when something interesting was happening but other than that, I didn’t really care.

I don’t remember the exact moment when I heard about Bernie Sanders, but I know that, at first, I wrote him off entirely. I didn’t know who he was and I didn’t really care but when I heard that a few of my friends were going to his rally in New Hampshire early this year, I started to pay attention. I have no words for how much respect I have for him. He took on one of the most well known presidential candidates ever as a self-proclaimed “democratic socialist” all while taking no money from big donors and super PACs. He talked about issues that are important not only to millennials, but to all Americans, and is the only candidate this election cycle who consistently talked about climate change and getting money out of politics. He is one of the bravest people I have ever seen and, though I wish he were the Democratic candidate for president, I respect his endorsement of his opponent, Hillary Clinton.

At first I was angry and confused, but as time passed I realized that it took incredible courage and maturity to endorse someone who he fought so passionately against for an entire year. He did it not because he wanted to be picked as vice-president or because he wanted any special favors, he did it because he wanted to make sure he would be able to make the Democratic party’s platform as progressive as possible, and I believe he has done that.

Now, after the Democratic National Convention, I am at a loss. I do not know if I can do as Bernie Sanders did and support Hillary Clinton, but I do have some things to tell her.

Dear Hillary Clinton,

Congratulations on becoming the first woman to be elected as the presidential candidate of a major party. I am extremely proud of the things you have done to prove to the world that women can do all the things that men can do. You are truly an inspiration.

Now, I want to tell you that I want to support you. I want to be able to say that I can vote for you in November out of something other than fear of Donald Trump, but I don’t know if I can. I know that it may seem a little ridiculous since we share many of the same political perspectives, but I just don’t know. I'm not sure if I can trust what you say.

This last week, I payed special attention to the things that were said about Bernie Sanders and his supporters at the DNC and for the most part I was pleased. I admire that you have adopted some of his more progressive policies regarding minimum wage, student debt and money in politics. However, it was all a little less admirable after numerous leaks of emails and voicemails show that the party favored you over Sanders from the start and often worked to ensure you would do better than he would in the primaries.

I can forgive all of this to some extent. I can put it in the past and vote for you in the fall, but I need to see that you mean what you say. I need to see that you actually care about student loan debt and that you actually care about getting money out of politics. As it would be clear to anyone who payed attention to Sanders’ campaign, he and his supporters care most about restoring American democracy and giving power back to the people. That’s why he funded his campaign from the bottom up and with people’s donations of $27 at a time.

You still have three months to persuade me and millions of americans to vote for you. For a long time, I have said that I would be more supportive of you, and definitely vote for you in November, if you were to put your money where your mouth is, or rather, take it away. If you were to stop taking money from corporate donors and super PACs, then I would support you. I would do my best to make sure you win. I would vote for you in the fall. I would donate $27 to you. If you did this, then thousands of Sanders supporters and millions of Americans would get behind you. I’m sure of it.

In order to get the support of the people, I believe you need to work for the people. The best way to do that would be to answer to them, and only them.

Congratulations and good luck,

A Hopeful American