The Problem With Donald Trump

Is there really only one problem with Trump? Aren’t there many? Well, yes and no. There are many problems with Trump, but they all stem from the same source: hatred.

His entire platform is built on hatred. He is racist, sexist and homophobic. Essentially, anyone who isn't a white Christian should be deported in Trump's eyes. Obviously, he is not alone. However, now every closeted racist, homophobe and sexist can crawl out of whatever sewer they came from and support him. Before, these people might have kept their offensive thoughts to themselves. At the very least, these people would not have a candidate to rally behind and feel like their hatred has validation. Trump has made it acceptable to be as racist, sexist, and homophobic as you want without repercussions.

His hatred and fear mongering endangers the civil rights of every minority group in America. His presence alone poisons the minds of young Americans. So instead of a new generation of open minds and loving hearts, we may have a new generation filled with more hatred than the last.

I hear many people, particularly those from several minority groups, saying, "if Donald Trump wins, I am moving to a (insert the name of any country in the world here)."

Perhaps I was naive and optimistic, but it never hit me until a friend recently said he was concerned for my safety, especially in the Midwest. Deep down, I never felt any real danger until then. You see, I am as American as anyone else. I was born in Hawaii and raised in a small town in South Dakota. I attend South Dakota State University and am currently applying to medical schools.

I am in a sorority. I love reading, painting, and spending time with my friends. I volunteer at a children's hospital. So what if my parents immigrated from another country? Maybe it happened more recently in my family tree than someone else's, but unless you are 100 percent Native American then we are the same. My faith, Islam, is not what is shown in the media and never has been. Unlike what Trump says, it should not be the only label that defines who I am. It should not be an excuse to discriminate against me. Labels should not be an excuse to discriminate against anyone.

This is my home, and neither I nor any other American should feel scared in our own homes. Trump and his supporters are not going to scare me into leaving. Trump's hatred has not "made America great again," because hatred will never be the answer. All it has done is fracture this country, promote violence and further marginalize the minorities of America.