November 9, 2016 I woke up to the news that Donald Trump won the Presidential election. The world I was living in the day before seemed different than the world I woke up in. I could not begin to think how I was going to explain the news to my mother, father, and other loved ones. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what was now my reality, something I believed to be impossible became possible. Many mixed emotions ran through me within the span of an hour. I felt sad, angry, anxious, scared and frustrated all at once which something I am not used to feeling. Throughout the year I witnessed Trump’s racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and sexists comments made in his speeches. The ones that stuck to me, were the ones that came back to mind on November 9th. The hate this man has spread throughout our nation has impacted us in a negative way that caused psychological fear within us.

Throughout the day I kept thinking to myself “What could I do to not just sit and stay quiet, but voice out my opinions and act?” I decided to attend the protest that was held at the Trump Tower in Chicago. I am privileged to have a voice and to be able to say what I want without fearing what is to come next. I chose to use my voice November 9th to advocate for those who don’t have one. I wanted to stand up for what I believe strongly in to demonstrate that fear will never hold me back. If we let fear overcome us then, we will never get rid of the bad that is affecting us. I decided to fight for the equality, respect, freedom and safety of those who are scared to fight for it on their own.

Throughout the day I was asked frequently why I was so angry about our President elect because, “There is nothing we could do about it. It is what it is” I am angry because, children shouldn’t have to live in fear wondering if they’re going to go home to both parents or to neither. I am angry because, after Trump won the presidential election many believed it was “Okay” for them to become hostile towards other ethnicities. I am angry because, now people will feel entitled to strip me of my brown pride. This anger is something that is not able to be tamed because I am not a conformist. I refuse to settle for an individual that has spread hate towards my people, who are NOT what Trump says they are “Liars, stealers, rapists, drug dealers” They are hardworking individuals who have worked every day of their life to give their families a better tomorrow. For this and many more reasons I will not stay quiet or calm, I will stay united and strong with my community in this time of grieving.

Trump and his supporters will never strip me of my brown pride. I am a strong Latina woman who is no different than anyone else. I am an intelligent, hardworking, studious, and ambitious Latina woman. I am a Latina who wants to create change in this world, to ensure the youth have a better tomorrow. I am a Latina that attends Saint Xavier University majoring in Biology Pre-Health with the dreams of becoming a medical Oncologist. My brown skin will never be a factor to hold me back from opportunities to come, but it will be my strength to fight for equality. My brown skin is my pride and joy because, I come from a family of hardworking individuals that ensure I make my dream a reality. I am the great woman I am today because of my parents. My parents are two Mexican individuals who migrated to the US illegally, and began working the moment they arrived and haven’t stopped since. My parents are the reason I fight for a better tomorrow not only for them, but for the latinx community as well. “El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido!”

To everyone who fears what is to come next after this presidential election, don’t let fear overcome you. Stand strong with your community, unite with other communities, and remember that LOVE TRUMPS HATE.

Peace and Love to all.