In the eyes of the law, I am a Republican woman.
Let me preface this by saying that I do not agree with many things that President-elect Donald Trump has said. I am not homophobic, racist, sexist, classist, xenophobic or a bigot. In fact, when it comes to most social politics, I lean to the left.
I am an 18-year-old, straight, white, conservative woman from California. But let me explain: Being conservative doesn’t mean that I agree with all of what Trump has said. In fact, being conservative means to me that I believe that “Big Government Sucks.” I believe that the government shouldn’t be able to tell me what I can or can’t do — whether that’s gay marriage or owning guns, abortion access or Obamacare.
This is exactly what makes me so sad about this election. I will not allow the election of one individual to make me turn on friends with different opinions, to turn to violence, to turn to hate, to turn to division. We still have the power to make our country the strong and brave country that she is, can be and should be. I believe that I am defined not by the way that I cast my ballot, but by the person and character that I am. I believe this holds true for each and every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and class standing.
I understand those who feel the need to protest the win of Trump, and I recognize your rights of the First Amendment. But I don’t respect when these peaceful protests and proclamations of one’s beliefs turn to hate crimes and violence, to name-calling and bullying. Calling the other side ignorant, stupid and uneducated for their beliefs makes you no better than the candidate you’ve been bashing. And this goes for all sides.
Sharing your beliefs and peaceful protesting are excellent ways to practice the rights that your country has given you. But please ensure that your beliefs and anger are properly projected, informed and proclaimed respectfully. On Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, Trump will become mine and all of America’s president. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Together, using love, peace and respect, we can create a better America that ensures rights and equality for all Americans, even with Trump as president. I have a feeling he will surprise even the most skeptical liberals. His platform focuses on economics and global relations, leaving some of his social stances to be inferred from crude comments. Just because he may have thought that way doesn’t necessarily equate to a steadfast guarantee to strip all rights from those people. After all, he was a Democrat for most of his life.
So before you continue to automatically stereotype all conservatives as unwavering Trump supporters, and as bigots, racists, sexists, homophobes, uneducated and stupid, remember that we too don’t always agree with Trump.