Never before have I been as avidly interested in politics or presidential elections, but as a student, as well as a first-time voter, I find it my responsibility to not only pay attention but to care about what is going on in politics.
For any millennials who claim they don't care about politics or the upcoming election, I think you’re wrong. This is our future, whoever wins the election will be the leading man or woman in the country when we graduate, apply for jobs, and really become adults.
Or, at least that's why I care. As a pre-med student who majors in psychology and minors in African American studies, I clearly have vast interests and somewhat scattered thoughts about who I want to see running our nation, but it seems clear that Hillary Clinton is who I’m supporting in the upcoming election.
One of her main platforms involves reversing the increasing growth of our prison population in the United States which, little known to most, is one of the most pressing issues facing black and brown communities today.
Not only is she willing to take a strong stand in the criminal justice reform system which we so desperately need, but she is uplifting Americans of all genders, colors, races, religions and sexual orientations to strengthen our economy and society.
Rather than tearing communities apart such as Donald Trump has done with his strong stance against illegal immigrants, and LGBTQ groups, Hillary sees uniting the masses as an important goal to achieve all other goals.
As a woman, Hillary understands some of the barriers women have to overcome and face on a daily basis. One of them being the issue of the wage gap which, to this day, a woman earns 77 cents for every dollar a man makes.
As a young woman, supporting Hillary is supporting equality. She even stated, “I’m going to fight until every little girl in America knows she can grow up to be anything she wants, even President of the United States of America.”
For those who are unaware, other policies and battles that Hillary is fighting is raising wages and rebuilding the middle class, protecting our communities from gun violence, assuring every worker gets up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave, fighting for reproductive rights and equal pay for women, protecting America and our allies from terrorism at home and abroad, and bringing down the rates of student debt and working to achieve debt-free college.
It makes me excited to think of Hillary running our nation because I know that she will fight for all of us and focus on the battles she can win.
Her immense support in rallies and the primaries shows the excitement America has over such an intelligent, well-spoken, powerful, and strong-minded woman willing to run for President.
Over Hillary’s years in the spotlight, including being First Lady, a New York Senator and a past presidential candidate, the GOP sent many scandals her way, but she was able to overcome each and every one of them.
Her strength and will to become the president is inspiring.
Beyond just her background and goals, the concept of having a female president for the first time in American history after having a black President for the first time in history would show America’s changing view and progress toward greater equality and egalitarianism.
Hillary, unlike other candidates in this election, has stuck to her word and not changed positions on her ideologies and progressive reform platforms.
To me, this shows dedication and honesty which is required in a great leader. By following Obama as the President, Hillary would not systematically undo any of his legislature which could easily be seen having any of the republic candidates as President.
Some believe that Hillary is someone who can’t be trusted, but I see the forces that put her in that position and I know as president she will stick to her word and fight for the best America we could have.
So, to those of who you who don’t care about the election, I encourage you to, and I even encourage you to be excited about it because there may be a lot to look forward to!
