This past election cycle was particularly difficult for me as a moderate.
One would call me a conservative democrat, or even a liberal independent. There are Economic policies I agree with the Republican Party on, and Social/Human Rights policies I agree with the Democratic party on. However, I can understand and respect your opinions if you have valid reasons for holding them. But one thing I CANNOT abide by is hatred, fear, and discrimination.
What I consistently hear across the board is that people are AFRAID. I didn't always agree with Barack Obama, but I was never afraid of him. I was never afraid for my friends and loved ones. When we have a President, who, regardless of political affiliation, inspires hate groups, rouses anger, and divides people by race, sexuality, and/or gender, there is something deeply wrong with our political system.
I will continue to respect your opinions whether you are pro-Trump or not, as I would expect anyone else to do the same for me. I too believe we need to fix our immigration policy and create new and better jobs - but not at the cost of basic human rights.
It is with a heavy heart that I do not know where I stand in President Elect Donald Trump's United States of America, as many of us do not know. I am a woman. I am a member of the LGBTQ community. I am disabled. I am also, however, white. I am also thin. I am also middle class.
I recognize the privileges and disadvantages I was assigned that neither I, nor anyone else, had control over. I believe we should all take a look at who we are and where we come from. We should pay attention to where our friends, family, and neighbors come from and the struggles they face on a daily basis. Over the next four years, I plan to use the privileges I was afforded to advocate for those who were not given them. Just as I hope those who are in a more privileged position than I, will do the same for me. It's a dangerous, cruel world out there. But it is also a kind, generous, caring world.
Protect, love, and respect one another as we have no idea what to expect these next four years.
