There’s been a lot of talk about Donald Trump recently. Well when hasn’t there been? He’s been the all caps celebrity of the entire primary season just as he was on your favorite guilty pleasure TV network. But how did we get here? What went wrong with the Democrats, the Republicans and the system on whole that allowed a man who has no semblance of tact, consistent policy or respect towards his opponents ascend to the rank of Republican nominee? These used to not only be expected virtues of candidates and party nominees alike, but the absolute bare minimum for acceptable public discourse. And yet, he keeps winning. Now even topping Hillary in recent general election polls. No longer can we dismiss him, because this isn’t just momentum anymore, this is a sixteen wheeler with it’s breaks cut barreling down hill towards an intersection. Expect carnage. So who’s voting, where are these radical individuals, and why are they doing it?

Liberals have been more than willing to point the finger: it’s the red necks, the white nationalists, the racists, the sexists, the idiots. Did you see what he said about the illegal Mexican immigrants? Racist! I heard he was joking about violence at one of his rallies. Dangerous! A ban on foreign Muslims? Xenophobe! And what about the things he’s said towards women, and all his marriages? Just look at Melania, I mean come on. Sexist! There’s no possible way any sane intellectual individual could vote for such a retrogressive candidate is there? Well maybe, maybe not, but the fact of the matter is the progressive and establishment vote alone won’t win this election. And Trump knows this.

Now that being said, despite being more conservatively minded, I in no way endorse Trump. I think he’s unpredictable, a disaster for the future of the Republican Party, and a horrible figure head for the nation, but I understand why many others don’t.

For years intellectually elitist coastal liberals have turned their noses up at Middle American white men and women (although mostly men). Maybe not completely publicly, but don’t be fooled; at dinner parties, in conversation, on Facebook accounts, in online media, and by your favorite satirical comedy TV host, the stereotype of the uneducated, god fearing, racist, inbred, gender role enforcing central state republican has been perpetuated to saturation. And they’re finally taking notice. Respectable, down-to-earth, nationalist, religious people are sick and tired of being pigeonholed. Being called racist when they’re not, being called uninformed when they’re not, having their religion mocked, their beliefs chastised. And now they have a mascot. An orange faced, insensitive, toupee wearing, plain speaking, angry man, who’s unafraid to give the finger to anyone and everyone who’s been putting them down for decades. How could they not love him?

So when you vilify Trump by spouting off the days top headlines, without any further research into the motive behind his words, without any respect for the concerns of the less palatable masses, without a shred of understanding for the struggles of those who sympathize with him, you’re confirming their opinions. Confirming the ballooning suspicion that not only do you dislike them, but that you seriously consider them the scourge of progressive America. All the while preaching your self-proclaimed benevolent comprehensive agenda: over advocating the rights of competing ideologies, inciting riot and violent protest at their rallies, keeping their speakers off campuses, and constantly reminding them just how privileged they really are. You’re giving them a reason to trust Trump, and it’s not because of his policy, not because of his rhetoric, or his views on women, it’s because they don’t trust you.

There’s only one demographic that we can still publicly stereotype without remorse, and it’s white Americans. No one cares. Utter societal hypocrisy, propped up by the undying fire of white guilt and one size fits all ‘privilege’. Regardless of whether or not you think they have the right to demand it, they’re not going to put up with this brand of abuse any longer. And I can't blame them.

So, what are we to do?

Stop believing these ridiculous headlines propagated by liberal media at face value, stop belittling his supporters, stop refusing to take him seriously, and stop using him to feed you’re narrative of the aggressive and dangerous conservative. He’s playing you. Because for every Democrat that chooses to slander Trump under whatever 'ism' is most popular that day, two white conservatives believe he must be the candidate for them. And even though you may not like them, you may not think they’re intelligent, their vote still counts (well sort of, sorry Bernie). Do you’re research, stay informed (and not just by your Facebook feed), debate politely, and encourage discussion. Nothing dispels falsehood quite like sunlight. Lead by example, not with an example. He’s not the enemy, he’s not Hitler, and he’s certainly not evil, he’s just a bad candidate. Otherwise you better start getting used to the idea of a President Trump, because that’s where we’re headed.