Yes, I am a millennial. But I do not protest because I don't know how to "lose".
Yes, I voted for Hillary Clinton. But I do not protest because she lost.
Yes, the election is over and Donald Trump won. But he is not why I protest either.
I protest because I feel it is my job too, plain and simple. I refuse to live in a country where people fear for their safety.
It can be easy to think that I protest because I am privileged and in a way that is true. I have the advantage in America, I am a educated and white. I am currently in college getting a higher level education, an opportunity that many Americans aren't able to have. Now it can be easy to get swept up in that; when you're doing well it's hard to look back and remember others. But the way I see it is that as educated individuals that is part of our job. It is our job to speak up for those who don't have voice in America, and trust me there are a lot of people who don't have a voice.
I protested after Donald Trump was elected because of what he stood for and the policies he proposed durning his campaign. While I am white and educated, I am also a women. What he said durning his campaign made millions of Americans scared, myself included. It is not "dramatic" or "childish" to protest against ideas that make people fear for their lives. I know that even though I am a women, I still have the advantage over many so I protest to help them have a voice. Not to take over or inflict my already set values on them, but to help them feel safe in their own country. Because I do have an advantage in this country being white and educated, and people need to realize that there is privilege for the white and educated. What people choose to do with that privilege is up to them, you can continue to pretend it is not there or you can help.
Protesting also doesn't just mean taking to the streets at night and yelling (which is how many people see it), to me protesting has a broader definition of that. Protesting is willing to speak up on behalf of those who are less privileged than you at any moment. Let's say If you see someone getting harassed on the subway for their hijab, there are two things you can do: 1. You can speak directly to the harasser demanding he stop, or 2. You can go and talk to whomever is getting harassed and ignore the harasser making them feel comfortable and that they have a way out of the situation at hand. There are hundreds of other ways you can help, but just remember that if you stand aside and do nothing you are part of the problem. That can be a hard concept for people to understand, but if people with privilege don't step in nothing is going to get better in this world.
Now there are some key things that to remember if you are a person of privilege and decide to step in:
1. You cannot fully understand what they are going through, be respectful. Don't try and relate to them completely because you do not understand. Understanding you want to help is enough.
2. Don't inflict your own beliefs.
3. Know you are privileged and know your place. Know when to stop or when you are starting to do more harm than good.
I'm not asking for everyone to agree with the way I see protesting or even with the way I see privilege, just know that there is more than what you initially think.
I know this is a very sensitive topic and it can be a hard concept to understand so I will attach my email (caroline.simpson98@gmail.com) or you can comment if you would like to have a discussion or if there is something you don't understand.
