As a freshman in college, you are trying to figure things out about yourself for the first time completely on your own: your ideas, your feelings, your beliefs, which most likely all contribute to your stance on political issues. Still discovering all these things about myself, in November of 2015, I went up to a table on my college campus which had a sign that said: "Register to Vote HERE". I walked up to the table, knelt down, and started filling out the necessary information- birth date, address, and finally, your political affiliation. I had never really thought about which political party I stood with. I knew who my parents and family supported, but I wanted to make a decision on my own without the influence of anyone around me. I realized that I was raised with more conservative values and that I fell more to the right side. I checked the box that said "Republican".

I gave in my card, and as a "gift" for registering to vote, the boy running the table handed me a "Bernie 2016" sticker. I told him I do not support Bernie Sanders. He gave a look of disgust and disappointment, snapped the sticker back into his chest, and said "oh...alright".

I walked away from that table feeling guilty. I felt bad for what I believed in. Honestly, it's even a little hard for me to write this article for people, especially my friends and family, to see. I felt as if I was doing something wrong just by supporting the Republican party and not supporting Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton.

It seemed like EVERYONE on my college campus supported either of the two, and that if you were a Trump supporter, or even a Republican, that you were all these terrible things. Because I believe the federal government should not play a big role in people's lives, I am a deplorable. Because I favor lower taxes, I am a bigot. Because I believe in less government spending on social programs, I am an imbecile. Because I believe in having tough skin, being strong, and a lesser need for "political correctness" I am insensitive and uncaring. I was so confused, for the first time since I went to college, I felt ostracized from everyone else.

I was scared to share my political beliefs, especially at a time where the country is so divided. I was embarrassed to support the Republican party. I was more embarrassed that I could just not bring myself to support a Democratic candidate. I believed Bernie Sanders, as great as his ideas may SOUND, they are just that: ideas. I did not believe they would actually be feasible in our nation, as I believed he had all these ideas, but no ideas on how to FUND these proposals. As for Clinton, her name comes with a tsunami of scandal: her husband, the Clinton Foundation, the emails. As a woman, nay, a strong, independent, proud woman, I could not let myself believe that she had the right to become president just because of the reproductive organs she was born with.

My friends would talk about how they oppose everything the Republican party stands for, and I sat their in silence, still feeling guilty. I am here to tell you that that is not true. This is not the party made up of rich, old, white men who believe in prejudice and oppression. My family came here with nothing, and built themselves up. Guess what? They were Republicans, too. They supported helping the needy, not funding the lazy. They supported hard work. They supported a hand UP, not a hand OUT.

I used to hide my political beliefs as I thought that everyone would see me as moronic, stupid, imbecilic, uncaring, insensitive moron. That felt horrible. Instead of silencing my opinions, I decided to join College Republicans, which greatly influenced me to be proud of what I believe in. I became active in the 2016 election. I was no longer ashamed to share my opinions to people, whether it be on social media or in person.

I am not a racist. I am not a sexist. I am not a bigot. I am a woman, I am young, and I am a proud Republican. Government is not my saving grace. The government will not pave your road to success. Hard work, education, and dedication will take anyone far beyond an government program can ever promise. While yes, this article was meant for "Republican Pride" if you will, we need to remember we are all different players on the same team. Most importantly, we are all Americans. We all want what we believe will be best for this country. We are Americans first. Be proud of that.