So last week an unfinished article of mine was published. Long story short, I was going to share my political views on what’s been going on in mainstream media right now. Lots of things were going to be covered so I began an article and simply wrote my thoughts down- unedited.

When it was published I woke up to lots of comments from people outraged, offended or just simply putting their view in which, I totally welcome.

I realize when it comes to putting your political views out there that not everyone is going to be completely thrilled with what you have to say. However, if it’s done tastefully and thoroughly, people will listen. Doesn’t mean they’ll agree, but they can’t say you’re ignorant.

I actually learned a lot from this article being published. Yes, it was a mistake and it’s been taken care of, but I reached out to the people who made it known they did not agree with me. I simply apologized and the responses were very surprising. Everyone was kind. Some were glad to hear it was a draft, others simply suggested that they completely understood that I have an opinion and even though it doesn’t agree with theirs I have a right to voice it.

But it got me thinking about how to approach this article. Everyone that I talked to gave me their feedback, suggestions, and encouragement to write. So, that’s what I’m going to do. You see, in my last article, I wanted to cover a lot of political ground because I’m 19 years old and I’d like to know what’s going on in the world I live in and an opinion about it. So here it goes.

Black Lives Matter

When I say that I don’t support Black Lives Matter I realized that even though I suggested that I believe all lives matter the point of this movement is to suggest the brutality against people of color.

My suggestion is still that all lives matter. I do not wish to suggest that racism does not exist in America. There are still White Americans that believe they are the superior race and there are Black Americans that are racist against whites! Now, I realized something else… a lot of the reason why Black Americans don’t like Whites is simply because in the past our country held them as slaves because of their skin color, separated them into different bathrooms because of their skin color, hosed them down on street corners because of their skin color and refused to give them the right to vote because of their skin color (males before women). I understand their right to be angry. White Americans have nothing to hold against the Black Americans. They didn’t do anything to us!

But I wish that that would stop. I never treated anyone of any skin color wrong simply because I was white. I wish to always treat everyone the way the Bible says they should be treated, with love. When I said that all lives matter, it was not to say that the movement was wrong, or pointless but to say that my heart breaks when I see things in children’s textbooks that suggest people of color are lower than the White person.

I know police brutality is real. But I will back the blue. I will not, however, stand for injustice. Being bullied and then harmed because of the color of skin.

Racism is real. But so is love. Black Lives Matter. Muslim Lives Matter. Minority Lives Matter! All Lives Matter. I wish people would stop seeing skin color and just see a person.

Feminism

Now this topic, I realize will get some fired up. But I got mad at myself. I went to an all-girls high school. I was taught by some amazing women and they showed me history.

I would agree that feminism is a scary word to those who have no idea what it is or what it stands for. But to the women who are over feminists, I get it. Some women, in my personal opinion, take it too far. I do tend to lean more conservative when it comes to this because I don’t believe that movements like Free The Nipple are relevant to the strides women want to make. But hey, if you don’t want to wear a bra, I don’t understand why you can’t?

When the amendment was passed for women to be able to vote, it was because women went forth and decided they were going to fix the injustice. I don’t understand how I can sit next to a man and do the same job and not get paid the same. That’s the crap that makes me thankful for Feminism.

It’s more than “bra burning” or men hating, although sometimes it’s very close. I believe there is a fine line but overall, feminism isn’t meant to take women back 100 years but propel forward. As a Christian, I never want to overrule my husband in any way, but some women want to stay single and have kids. Years ago, you couldn’t do that! Hell, my mom’s a single mom! If that isn’t girl power, I have no idea what is.

I think with anything, things can be taken too far but altogether, I can’t say I’m not a feminist and I don’t support Women’s Rights. I just can’t say I believe in everything they stand for.

Immigration/President Trump

Alright. Touchy subjects.

President Trump… oh boy. Okay well, he isn’t my first pick for president but hey, I didn’t like Hillary either. You know what part of the issue is? The man needs to deliver his damn speeches better.

With this immigration ban and such, I realize how easy it is to call him a racist. I understand what he’s trying to do. Partially, I agree with him. It’s hard to see families being torn up because of this BUT if you really search, you’ll find that the ban is only for 90 days until the government finds a better way to deal with illegal immigration.

President Trump, I agree that legal immigration is the way to go. It was also brought to my attention that I didn’t have to go through that process to become legal because I was born on American soil. Yes, I am blessed to live here. I’ll never understand the circumstances that bring people here illegally. Some running from a terrible life in their home country, and some doing it simply because they can. There is good intention and some who were careless.

Now, with the executive order, he put in place… it’s hard not to call it a Muslim ban when Trump made it so that several Muslim-majority countries were denied access to the United States.

Now, President Trump spoke about terrorists in his campaign. There is no denying that terrorists come from the Islamic religion but he failed to note that these individuals are radical. Gosh, and then I started to think, if I compared every Muslim individual that I met to a terrorist, that is the same as me being compared, as a Christian, to the Westboro Baptist Church. I can’t say that I agree with the religion of Islam, BUT I respect the people. And I hope that people don't automatically assume that because I'm a Christian I'm as hateful as those from the Westboro community.

The immigration order just seems to be a rough topic and I hope things smooth out. I get what's happening… can it be done better? Probably. But I’m not a political.

Pro-Life/Planned Parenthood

Okay, let’s get this out of the way. I’m Pro-Life. I am not for Planned Parenthood giving out free birth control and no matter which way you cross the board, I'll never be for abortion. Because of the God that I believe in, I can’t say that it’s okay to do. Now, I know some will disagree.

I don’t intend to stay on this subject long because I understand it’s sticky and I just personally believe what I believe and everyone is entitled to their opinion of Pro-Life or Pro-Choice. I just can’t get behind Pro-Choice.

I still see a lot of women saying that their sex life isn’t any of my business. Okay, you’re right so why does the government have to pay for the birth control you need or the abortion you want. I understand birth control isn't just for the safe sex, but for period regulations, acne, cramps... it does a lot. I know.

I don’t think defunding Planned Parenthood is the best way to go either. The free tests they provided, the clinical care! As someone going into the nursing field, I think the thing that will break my heart the most is meeting people who can’t afford the care they need. If you can fund a free clinic to give mammograms and it saves another mother from leaving this world and not being with her kids, then I suggest we do it.

I’m not saying any of this to cover up my last article or to make people happy. I’ve learned a lot in the last week and I realized a lot. It made me think, it made me research and talk to people to hear other sides of the story. I vote conservative but no matter what the case is, words of hate aren’t going to fix a country. But I believe in prayer and a big God and I believe He can make big things happen.