With the 2016 presidential election rapidly approaching, my palms are getting sweaty with anxiety of what this election could bring the country. As a citizen of this “free” nation, I am very concerned for the future of our country. When I first turned 18, I was thrilled to finally execute my right to vote for the next presidential candidate. I’m 21 now and my excitement level to vote for one of these two evils is already buried 6 feet below the ground. In the beginning, I had faith in my country that we would come to our senses and choose reasonable candidates for two runner ups at the finale. Now all I have to say is that I’m heavily disappointed in my fellow Americans.

Despite my disappointment, I have realized that this election has really brought out the ugly side in the country like racism, homophobia, or discrimination against people with disabilities. We all knew these discriminations existed, but it was kept in the shadows. We were beginning to progress in that perspective by legalizing gay marriage, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, helping people with disabilities, but now it seems as if we are heading backwards instead of forward. Do we really want to do that? Do we really want to repeat that horrid history? Is that what we want for future generations?

In a nation born from the arrival of immigrants, we should not be discriminating against others to go back to their motherland. We are all immigrants no matter whether we are white, tan, black, pale, brown or any skin color. The only real non-immigrants are the Native Americans that were mostly killed and moved off their reservations. So stop saying that people need to get out because that means that we would all have to leave, so in that case you better start packing. Being a nation with such a diverse melting pot of cultures, languages, and religions is what makes us so great. We are the most diverse country in the world. Which is why instead of trying to kick people out of the nation, let's unite our forces to chose the better candidate to take the seat at the oval office.

On election day, we will be heading to the polls to cast our vote towards the next President of the United States. Instead of going there thinking about what you want, go in there thinking of what your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, and future generations want because their future is in your hands.

Do you want them to say thank you or why would you do this to us? Think about it. The outcome of this election will not only determine the direction of the country, but also the rest of the world in the coming 4-8 years. We could move forward, but we could also move back depending on who is chosen. As a struggling college student, I’m just asking for one thing. Please don’t mess this up for us. I’m also going to be voting, but I’m just one vote out of millions which is why I am just asking you to chose wisely and cautiously. Just remember that the future of the world is in our power.