Initially for this week I had planned to write a different article. Something about finding a new partner. However, I'm mad. I am beyond hurt, I am beyond afraid, I am beyond embarrassed... The list could go on, and on. I typically steer clear of voicing political views on my social networking platforms, but I can no longer be silent. I will not be silent any longer.
I was able to vote on October 28th, 2016 as an early voter in Indiana. My mom met me at the courthouse on her lunch break and accompanied me for my first time voting in a presidential election. We both were standing proudly in line knowing that we were casting ballots for Hillary Clinton, and not just because she was another woman.
To those of you who think that "we," meaning those who identify within any minority group, are angry because now we are going to have to "get off our asses and actually work," or think that we are mad that we "wont be receiving the assistance from the government anymore," are completely wrong. Let me try to explain to you why we are mad.
We are genuinely concerned for our human rights. You probably don't understand that... or cannot wrap your mind around that because you are concerned about money, and "changing" the way the country has been ran. We are afraid of losing our right to marry our partner, we are afraid that if we practice a different religion we will be considered as a threat, we are afraid that if we wear a hijab, we will be considered a part of ISIS... just because of clothing... We are afraid that we will be sent to some kind of outrageous conversion therapy. We are afraid for our safety because our appearance may be different than yours. We are afraid that if we get pulled over and reach for a wallet or purse, we will be killed.
The world I fell asleep in on November 8th, 2016, is no longer the same world I have lived in. I woke up in a world full of anxiety, full of fear, and full of anger. I woke up concerned about the safety of my loved ones, I woke up concerned about the type of world my nephew, and other little ones are going to live in. I woke up with genuine concern for our society this morning.
We have the right to be upset. We have the right, just as you do to voice our opinions and our hurt. We have watched for months as he mocked others throughout his campaign, we listened to how he believes we should be treated. We heard how he thinks there should be a mass deportation. My concern is not only with him, my concern is also with his running mate.
A running mate who closed Planned Parenthood's around Indiana, and an HIV outbreak occurred. A running mate who banned abortions for women, regardless of being sexually assaulted... A running mate who signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, remember? The one that gave businesses the opportunity to refuse service to LGBTQ+. He also doesn't believe in global warming. Go take a look outside... Oh, AND he also doesn't believe in evolution.
My concerns, and my fears are valid, for not only myself, but for others around me. I voted for someone who stood for human rights. I voted for my safety, and the safety of others. I voted for something more than just "shaking things up". So, please, stop referring to us as lazy, stop referring to us as disrespectful, and stop calling us disrespectful.
I can only speak for myself, but Donald Trump will never be my President.
