Saturday, January 21, 2017, President Trump’s first full day in office. I will be the first to say I did not vote for President Trump. Nevertheless, I wish him nothing but good judgment and successes during his presidency. While I understand the anger, the nervousness, and the hesitation towards this trying time for those that do not support Trump, I do not understand the one-sided individuals who use violence to show their disapproval. If he fails, our country fails. There is nothing good about that.
Instead, to make our voices bold and profound, we should protest peacefully. We should write. We should talk to the opposing side. We should share stories. We should exercise our rights and our freedoms because that’s as American as our nation gets. And if you disagree with me, you should take a trip to the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in our nation’s capital and read the first amendment in our Constitution. It’s quite the document.
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Today, in addition to the Commander in Chief’s first full day on the job, there are women’s marches all over the world to capitalize women’s rights across the board. The mission of these masses is to be noticed and to be heard, not only by our newly elected government, but by the world. And while I scroll through my social media accounts, proud to be a part of something that is greater than I’ll ever be, I could not ignore condemnation of people who think we should “just get over it”. To some, this was merely another transition of power, and that is okay. To others, however, there is something much deeper about the rhetoric this past election stirred among our nation. To others, it was much more personal. To others, it was a threatening call leaving an unsettling stomach. And, as aforementioned, while I hope President Trump leads with a positive influence and a unifying force, I have a right to grieve. I have a right to talk about it, write about it, and argue it.
Many of the arguments against the women’s march are that it is pointless because it will make no change in addition to being a waste of time. Politics aside, I beg to differ. A protest is supposed to make people uncomfortable. It’s also supposed to start a conversation that would not have otherwise been heard. A protest could simply be voicing your opinion solely because it will make you feel liberated. In simpler matters, think about the last time you felt betrayed or hurt. Think about a breakup. Think about that time someone cut you off while you were driving. I can almost guarantee that you went to somebody and spilled your feelings and emotions out until you felt better. No different than the protesters. You are sharing your voice until you’re heard.
Land of the free, home of the brave, this country gives us so many rights that we are blessed to have. I’ve been to developing countries, I have seen what it is like to live with limited rights. Exercising my right of free speech is the least I could do to celebrate what I have and what I believe in. During this transition of power, some people fear for their rights. Some people feel offended. As a Latina woman, an ethnic and racial minority in this country, I can say first hand, that you do not know what the minority feels like unless you are the minority. I will never wake up in the morning, look into the mirror, and see white. I once read an article that said if you are a majority in this country, when you wake up and look in the mirror, you just see a person, because that is your privilege. I will actually see a color, a difference, I will see brown. I have been offended and challenged by President Trump for a multitude of reasons. But, I am also thankful, because this election cycle has taught me to stand up for what I believe in, to voice my opinion, and to be even more appreciative of my rights.
“When they go low, we go high.” –Michelle Obama
