Dear America,
November 8th, 2016 was the day that we all had the responsibility of voting for the next president of our country. When the results were announced on that Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, there were a lot of things that went through everyone’s minds. A lot of people were wondering how in the world this could have happened while others were thrilled that it did.
I think that it is difficult for those of you who are super happy about Trump’s win to truly understand why there are so many people filled with fear. That is OK. Sometimes we cannot begin to understand where an emotion stems from because we have not had to live with that specific emotion. For some Trump supporters, the fear of not living another day has never crossed their minds. They have never had to worry if their parents were going to try to put them through conversion therapy, or if they would ever be allowed to get married to the person they love (or if they were going to get kicked out of their home because of their sexuality). The color of their skin was never a problem, and they are angry that people who are afraid are speaking out.
Trump's campaign showed a rise in feelings of fear in minorities for these reasons and more. Not understanding is because of this thing a good chunk of people have: privilege.
Merriam-Webster defines privilege as so: “A right or benefit that is given to some people and not to others.” It offers another definition as well: “The advantage that wealthy and powerful people have over other people in a society.”
In most places in the United States, if you are white you have privilege. If you are a white male, you have even more privilege than your white female counterparts. Your privilege is normally going to skyrocket if you are a white, heterosexual, Christian male. Some of that privilege is docked if you are gay, or anywhere else on the LGBTQ+ spectrum. However, you still have more privilege than white women, anyone of color (and especially black women), those of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, those from different religions and those of different cultures.
The fact of the matter is that, America, we have a hard time empathizing with other people because we do not want to take the time to learn about them. We seem to cringe at the idea of giving a minority any power. We lock ourselves away when something bad happens to a person of color because “they must have done something wrong,” or because “it does not affect me.” However, you are so wrong.
This mindset that what happens to our minority brothers and sisters does not affect us is so flawed. Our ignorance and naivety to what they go through is why they need to protest. So many people have spent so long ignoring what is going on in our world because they cannot relate to it. As I have mentioned earlier, it is OK that you cannot relate to it. Privilege is not ever having to go through things like that.
It is OK to have privilege, but you need to acknowledge that you have it.
You cannot walk around and get mad at people for being afraid if you are not acknowledging why they are afraid. If you cannot understand, you need to learn. There are so many things that you can do to help those who are scared, but ignoring it is not the way to go.
America, we need more compassion in our hearts. Those refugees who need a new home because they are losing theirs should be welcome. If we are the greatest nation in the world then why do we act like we are better? That does not make us great. Love makes us great. Compassion for those less fortunate than us makes us great.
Romans 12:9 says this, “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Additionally, Romans 13:10 says this, “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
I know that some of you are not Christians, and you may not even believe in God or a higher power. However, I think that these verses are things to keep in mind because, like I just said, love is what makes us great.
Love your black brothers and sisters--try to understand them. Love your LGBTQ+ neighbors, because they may suffer a little more than you. Take time to get to know people of other cultures and religions, they may teach you something. Do not forget to thank people for what they do for you--especially those who do the jobs you do not want to.
I urge you, America, take time to love those around you. This is not a fight for president anymore. It is a fight to stand up for those who need it and to love them.
“If you want the world to know/we won’t let hatred grow/put a little love in your heart.”
Sincerely and with so much love,
A millennial who is tired of the hate
