After more than a week out from the election, I’m so heartened to see my friends and family reaffirm what they believe in. To stand against bigotry and tell it like it is. I’m so proud to be amongst such people of character. This isn’t a piece for self-righteousness, but rather a challenge to be a decent person. So here is my pledge to my conscience and to all of you:

I will not be idle. I won’t retreat into my privilege and batten down the hatches for four years to weather the storm. I will stand up for those who need protecting and ask for help from those who are in a place to lend a hand. I will be an advocate.

I will not succumb to intolerance. I won’t let a bigot’s words define me. I know I am worth more than what one pompous man thinks of my sex. I will not endorse it, I will not ignore it, and I certainly won’t stand for it. A divided country is not a strong one, so I will do what I can to lift people up instead of building walls to keep them out.

I will be a supporter for those who need help. I will use what privilege I have to do my best in their defense. I will not let Trump’s racism, xenophobia, sexism, and exclusionary dogma to become normalized. I will not let people explain it away as the new normal. Racism isn’t acceptable, xenophobia isn’t tolerable, sexism isn’t admissible, and excluding communities of LGBTQIA and non-Christian religions is indefensible. And I won’t treat them as anything less than they are, signs of cowardice.

I will a proponent for peace and justice—pillars the Unites States was built on. I am turning my feelings of dejection and grief into something useful. I will be empowered and in turn, try to empower others. I will acknowledge and own my privilege and use it for others who don’t have the opportunity to hide behind such privilege.

I challenge you to do the same.