In early November, before the 2016 election, it dawned on me that I could go to the January 2017 Presidential Inauguration. Being a girl from the midwest, this felt a little foreign, but I wanted to experience all that the east coast has to offer. I decided then, that no matter the outcome, I would go to the inauguration no matter who was the 2016 president-elect.

So I planned and researched. I found a metro station on my way that had parking and wasn’t closed. I emailed every Illinois (the state I reside) representative and senator, my county officials and my small town mayor, searching for a ticket. Not one of them responded to me (cough, cough, thanks, Illinois) but that wasn’t going to stop me.

I wanted to go to a political, American government event. I have never interacted with the Executive branch, I never saw Barack Obama in Chicago, George W. Bush never visited my elementary school, and I was determined to go be a part of history.

I read the blog of the lead activist for the inauguration protests and found out that their sole goal of today was to disrupt the parade. I decided that, honestly, the parade was not worth my safety so I left right after the inauguration ceremony.

Here are a couple thoughts I have about the state of our nation:

There is this unspoken rule that Conservatives and Republicans are not allowed to celebrate. Liberals, you’re seriously going to shut down our parade because you dropped out of art school and neglect to understand how a country works? We do this every four years. Just because the last time we did this, you were 14 and can’t remember how graciously the Republicans handed you the reins, doesn’t mean you can infringe upon our right to celebrate the new president. And then, you are going to boycott and mock our inauguration? Guess what: this inauguration was your presidential inauguration too, despite how many signs you paint with the words, “Not my president”, newsflash, Donald J. Trump is your new president.

Here is some hard truth: If you don’t like Donald Trump because he is white (as did many of the protestors I saw January 20), you are a racist. If you don’t like Donald Trump because he is a man (as many of the feminist/equally for all genders supporters expressed), you are sexist. If you don’t like Donald Trump because of how he looks (cue internet memes and rude celebrities), you are objectifying him. If you don’t like Donald Trump because he claims to have a Protestant, semi-Conservative ideology (as many Democratic lawmakers and voters do), you are a bigot.

How about that for some trigger words? Yes, the Left can be and is racist, sexist, and full of bigots who judge someone on the basis of their exterior.

And the hypocrisy of the protesting, jobless Left is staggering.

They smash Starbucks stores to pieces, even though the CEO of Starbucks is obviously a Democrat (He once said that you believe abortion is wrong, he doesn’t want your business).

They spit in the faces of police officers and then complain when over 200 of their fellow protestors get arrested.

They, in their joblessness, cause traffic jams which in term, make those who actually have a job late to their place of employment.

The Left is always lobbying for peace but every time the Left puts their finger in a city, violence outbreaks like an epidemic.

Also, the Left held what was essentially a gay orgy outside of Mike Pence’s home. What was this protest supposed to protest? Gay marriage is legalized. A transgender lifestyle is legalized. These people were protesting an individual’s personal, religious beliefs. And it’s even more hypocritical because the Left praises Islam even when Islam believes that gay marriage and homosexuality are not moral. But would any of these people go perform an indecent gay orgy at a local mosque? No, no they would not.

I have to say, I’m glad to have seen Hillary Clinton at the inauguration. That was extremely classy, she looked great and seemed to be gracious to President Trump. But, Michelle Obama was extremely ungracious towards Melania’s Tiffany’s gift and during the inauguration, she was seen rolling her eyes and curling her lip. Go out in class, Michelle, finish the race well.

In short, I am glad that I attended. I am glad to have witnessed something that my children will read about in their history books. I am glad that I got to be a part of something greater than myself or political parties or even a single person. I am blessed to live in a nation where I, a young college student, get to have a say in the future of this country. I am glad we have a president and three equal branches of government. We are blessed to live in a democratic society, where freedom reigns, power is transferred peacefully and hopes, dreams and aspirations are attainable.