DISCLAIMER: I want to start this article off by saying that I am not claiming to know the suffering of all the groups discriminated against by Donald Trump's potential future policies, appointees, and ideals. I am a white female pursuing her undergraduate degree. The only struggles that affect me first hand are those pertaining to be a woman.

I am definitely privileged, I never worried about having a roof over my head, food on the table, or clothes on my back. I am white, and my family is considered to be wealthy middle class. I know and acknowledge all of these things. I will never know the struggle of being a person of color, an immigrant, or a member of the LGBTQ+ community and I can not begin to imagine your pain. I don't have to identify as these things to stand up for what is right, though.

I am straight, so I will still be able to get married and obtain all spousal benefits with or without Trump in office. But my LGBTQ+ friends and family may not be allowed to anymore. How is that right or fair? Our Constitution, which was written in a time period where slavery, racism, and sexism definitely prevailed, demand that all men are created equal. Our very own Pledge of Allegiance, which all children recite every day, ends with "indivisible, and liberty and justice for all." Republicans, for the most part, fight hard to make sure the government does not get too powerful and restrict their rights. More recently, they have been fighting to protect their right to bear arms, which we, Democrats, upheld, on the basis that it is a constitutional value.

I am a caucasian female. I have never had to deal with discrimination based on the color of my skin. I definitely reap the terrible benefits of "white privilege". But what is the roles were reversed? I would want others to help me fight for my right to equality. I often think back to a quote that emerged in response to Adolf Hitler and his hatred and genocide:

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

We as human beings, can not sit around and watch others get discriminated against, because it easily could have been us. America was built on the idea that our country is a "melting pot", and I don't see why the color of someone's skin should dictate anything in regards to how they are treated. The color of your skin doesn't decide whether or not you are a bad person, your personality and choosing to believe in hatred and bigotry does.

My next biggest issue is immigration. I am not saying that coming to this country illegally and committing crimes should be allowed. I'm just aggravated because almost every single citizen in this country is the relative of an immigrant. This country belongs to Native Americans, so all of the rest of us were just explorers and visitors. We have made America our own, and it is extremely hypocritical that we oppose legal immigration of certain groups of people, or legalizing illegal immigrants.

Again, I have no real first-hand experience with these issues. The only issue that personally affects me is the issue of women and their rights. Women have for the most part of history, have always been fighting for equality. Women are seen as inferior, weak, less intelligent, and sex objects. It has only been near 100 years since women have had the right to vote in our own country, and we are one of the most progressive countries regarding women's issues. Every single person has a woman in their life, whether it be a mother, sister, lover, or friend.

So if you support a party that wants to strip them of their rights, then you owe every single one of them an apology and a reason as to why our rights aren't as important as yours. I find it extremely off-putting that the majority of legislators who deal with issues of my rights and reproductive health, are men, and usually white men. I don't see why women shouldn't be a part of the discussion? The biggest target in the news recently is Planned Parenthood. Republicans, for the most part, want to defund and disband it. Their biggest selling point is the idea that all Planned Parenthood is used for is abortions. That is so horribly false. Planned Parenthood provides birth control, cancer preventative screenings, and other reproductive health benefits. My body is not up for you to control.

I have barely even touched on the possible scary reality our country is facing. Let me say this again, for the most part, even with Trump as president, I will be fine. But it isn't about me, it's about EVERYONE. If you don't believe in "liberty and justice for all" then how can you say you're proud to be an American? Our soldiers fight for our freedoms, only for people in power fueled by hatred to take them away.