This morning someone woke up to gun shots, sleeping on a cold cardboard box, or being physically harassed because they live their life differently than some. Within the past week, there was a man who took an older gentleman's life because the shooter's girlfriend broke up with him. That older gentleman was on his was home from family easter. I had a friend of a friend commit suicide because she was being bullied physically and mentally for being transgender. Your day sounds absolutely amazing, but I think it is very important to remember that not everyone has the privilege you do. Even if they are Americans.

Most of the peoples' days probably aren't similar to yours and it is naive to claim that they are. That is writing off the experiences of every single person who has had it differently than you. Don't get me wrong. Being an American is definitely not the worst thing in the world. We truly do have a lot to be proud of but excuse me for saying this, I will not shut up and stay quiet about the issues that are currently going on in the states. We have to make the right decisions because we don't only affect us, but we affect the world.

If you're an American, you have every right to speak up and realize that the U.S still has a lot of work to do.

If you have ever traveled outside of the borders of this seemingly "great" country, then you would realize just how ignorant it is to say that everyone is lucky to live here. I have had the opportunity to travel to Cambodia, Australia, and New Zealand. So, I have seen the spectrum of privilege and circumstances.

Let's look at Australia, for example. I was blessed with the opportunity to live in Australia and it is miles ahead of the US when it comes to health care, care of its' citizens, and quality of life. No one has been shot there in years because they have ban firearms. No one is in fear of losing health care because it is a priority there. The amount of diversity that lives within the cities of Australia is insane. Australia opens its' arms to anyone and everyone it can help. Acceptance is KEY and they work hard every day to be better. They don't have the mindset of Shut up, you're lucky. They believe they are lucky, but there is still so much work to be done.

You're so right, America is in no way perfect.

After the recent election, many were devastated. People were terrified to live, breathe, and be a citizen of the US. I actually know people who DID move and guess what? They are so much happier. They found a place that cares for their people. They found a home that graces them comfort and not fear. Let me tell you, many people would not be knocking on the door to come back. Are you seeing how our country is rapidly declining? Are you seeing the rights that are being taken away? 6 months ago we were a hell of a lot more lucky than we are now. Now, we are holding on for dear life.

We are so spoiled because we have this mindset of "Shut up, you're lucky."

Let me stop you right there. I am going to say this once and I am going to mean it with every fiber in my body. Just because other places have it worse, DOES NOT mean we have to stop wanting better for ourselves. We do not get to sit and be content because other women are being killed and we are just being raped. We do not get to sit contently while other countries are going through hell because we are doing nothing to help them. People write these articles pushing people to stay quiet and use other countries unfortunate events as reasons why but when it comes time to help these countries, they don't. Those women marching? They're marching for ALL women. Not just American women. They are fighting for better circumstances for so many. You pretend like the circumstances for the African American community is okay. You act like women don't get harassed while walking home from work. You speak like kids aren't being put down for having depression, anxiety, or a mental disability. You tell people to be quiet as if communities aren't being silenced every single day. Just because other places have it worse does not mean it is okay that we aren't showing our own citizens respect.

"You get to wake up every day, eat whatever you want, drive your car to your job, and you don't have armed soldiers lining the streets, or the fear that there is going to be another bomb dropped at any moment." - This comment is ultimately my favorite from your article because you speak of these bombs being dropped and how much fear it instills in the citizens. Have you thought about who's dropping those bombs? Us. We are "Lucky" because we have the resources to bomb other countries? Interesting thought. You mention to "Get up or get out" and I find it really crazy that you are criticizing people for not blindly loving their country. A true citizen always wants progress. They want change and a quality life for everyone.

Seriously, get over yourself.

You mention that we don't understand how lucky we are because we are "able to say whatever you want and not be killed by the government for it, to wear whatever you want, to be whoever you want and not be murdered just for living." These comments baffle me because people ARE being killed on our OWN soil for being themselves. People get killed for their sexual choices, their religion, their diversity, and their skin color. Police brutality, for instance. Go research Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, or Michael Brown. (the list goes on). There are families that lost their brother, sister, daughter, or son. Research the people who have been murdered for being transgender, gay, Muslim, or 'different'. Look at the Orlando nightclub shooting. The U.S isn't safe. The US isn't an exception from murder, injustice, and tragedy. The murders just aren't publicized because nobody cares. Everybody is too busy calling us "lucky". Research Flint, Michigan. They do have to worry about clean water and we won't even take care of our own people. All the issues that you claim other countries have but we don't, WE DO. We are murdered just for living. We just are blind to it because it doesn't affect everyone. We are blind to the spectrum of privilege we have in this country.

Stop bashing Americans who want better for everyone.

This response letter should piss you off, I really hope it does. I hope it makes you think about the events that happen on our soil that you chose to look over. The people's experiences you chose to disregard. I hope you understand that we are not that lucky. we are just immune and blind. We are too busy silencing others to realize that we not better, and only getting worse.

I do not hate the country I live in, but I would not say I am proud to be an American. I am not proud that I am a citizen of a place that takes away rights without blinking. I am not proud that I live in a country where our president chose to bomb another country while eating a chocolate cake and then took a vacation right after. I am not proud that we have this mentality that the only time we can have a voice is when we are the worse off. I am fully aware that we do have it a lot better than SOME countries. I know how much privilege I do hold but the difference between you and I is I use my privilege to help others. I want to empower them to USE their voice. Not shut it down.

I will not shut up. Because of people like you, I will speak louder, I will fight harder, I will want better.