As a woman, I am strong and eager to learn. I extend compassion in as many instances as possible. I have high hopes for my future and strive to make my family proud. As a woman, I long for the day that my rights are taken just as seriously as those of men.
Earlier this week, Nate Silver, an American statistician, tweeted a photo that revealed the outcome of the 2016 presedential election if only women voted. In this forecast, Trump gained only 80 electoral votes while Clinton swept the board with 458.
He then proceeded to create a map depicting the outcome if only men were to vote. In this forecast, Trump won the election with 350 electoral votes.
Instead of reacting in a civilized manner, an incredibly offensive hashtag was created on Twitter regarding these maps. This hashtag, #RepealThe19th, indicates that our nation should no longer allow women to vote so that Donald Trump can easily win the election. I am absolutely appalled by this indication, as are many men and women across the nation who advocate for equality of all kinds.
"That hashtag isn't serious! Can't you take a joke?"
Not if your joke revolves around taking away one of my rights that so many strong women worked so incredibly hard for. Not if your joke advocates for a nation of inequalities. And certainly not if your joke is merely a rude, immature retaliation made in fear of losing an election. As for the hashtag itself, I am disgusted but not surprised. Making jokes about repealing the 19th amendment is not funny.
My gender does not impair my ability to vote and/or make important political decisions, nor does age, race, or sexual orientation.
Oppression is real, it is relevant, and it is in our backyards. As young men and women of America who are (many for the first time!) fortunate enough to have the opportunity to vote, we can no longer pretend that oppression only occurs in countries far, far away. As a woman, I am genuinely frightened by the sexist, misogynistic comments that are often spewed by so many people behind the shield of a Facebook page or anonymous post. I fear for our nation and the strides that we have made toward equality of all kinds, such as gender equality and marriage equality, to name a few. I do not deserve to fear for my well-being because of who I am or who I identify as, and nor does anyone else.
For any political candidate to have my vote, they must first try some kindness and respect. Make it clear that a woman's right to vote is important and that compassion and consideration should be given to all people present in this country, even if they are different than yourself. Make it clear that acceptance and tolerance is necessary if we hope to maintain peace. Until then, I simply cannot give you a second thought.
