This one goes out to all those out there who feel marginalized in today's society — all of those who have a desire to simply feel included, loved, and equal to their peers.

I want to start off by saying that I, in every way imaginable, support the fights of those who still, in 2017, have to fight for their equality. Whether it be African Americans, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, or religious minorities, you're voices deserve to be and should be heard without any hesitation. There are too many modern issues today that quite frankly, shouldn't even be an issue.

But what needs to be realized is that while the odds seem stacked against you at times and it feels like it's the world against you, if history has shown one thing when it comes to progressivism, it's that dedication and passion are what win these fights — and the whole idea of "safe spaces" only weakens them.

You see, what good is it to hide in one place and preach to the choir of those who all agree with you? What is there to be gained besides momentary happiness of finally being accepted? What progress are you making for the fight you feel so attached to?

While I agree that any form of disrespect should not be tolerated, what good does it do to hide from it? How are you going to change the minds of your opponents and live together harmoniously if you refuse to face the enemy? It is obviously scary and intimidating to stand face to face with those who try to make you feel small or weak, and progress may not be made as quick as we'd all like. The mere ability to say that you stood up for what you believed in in the midst of adversity is far more impactful than only surrounding yourself with those who agree with you. Is it important to feel welcome and accepted? Undoubtedly. But you don't need gated communities to find that support. You can find it through family and friends. And if for some unfortunate reason those resources aren't available, there are support groups that can be undeniably beneficial to an individual. But running to your safe space any time something goes wrong is not going to benefit you in the long run and certainly will not change the minds of those who try to oppress you.

Think about the courageous women at Seneca Falls or the African Americans at Selma who fought for their God-given rights, or the LGBTQ+ people at Stonewall who finally had enough with being treated as if there was something wrong with them. They didn't run and hide — they faced the problems head on. These are the same individuals who dedicated their lives to their mission so that we, the future generations of America, would not have to face the same discriminations they were subjected to.

And I think that's something too many of us take for granted. We see the progress so many minority groups have made in such little time that we feel as if it'll just happen or that it's nature's work. We learn about the monumental breakthroughs that figureheads like Alice Paul, MLK, or Harvey Milk were able to make and we take for granted their progress. We see life as so much better now than it was back then, right?

There's still so much more work to do.

While in 2017 we shouldn't be facing these issues, the fact of the matter is that we are. And while the Suffragist Movement and the Civil Rights Movement and the original Gay Rights Movement may be aging, their fights are far from done. So stop hiding. Get out there and face the enemy head on just like the most respectable icons in American history did. Realize that we must keep up their fight so that someday, one generation won't have to anymore. But wake up and realize that we are not that generation. We do not have the luxury of just taking for granted all the progress that was made by those before us. A lot has changed, yes, due in large part to the courageous men and women who became active in civil rights, and society has become much more accepting and diverse, yes. But that doesn't mean the work is done or that we can be content with the progress that has been made.

We're at a turning point in history, as you've heard many times before. So put yourself in the mindset of the suffragettes, the members of the Civil Rights Movement, or the for-so-long-closeted gay people who sparked inspiring revolutions and then take a moment to think about your kids, or your grandchildren and how your efforts today could positively impact their lives tomorrow. Think about how they could become the generation that does have the luxury of taking for granted all the hard work that those before them made.

And once again, realize that you are not them. And their potential luxury is not yours. And even though that is a tough pill to swallow, it would be even worse to leave the burden on them.

I read a quote somewhere that has forever impacted me and fits perfectly with this article.

"Keep fighting for what you believe in, because someone in a future generation is counting on you."

Now, step out of your safe space and start clearing the pathways your descendants will one day embark on.