It’s okay to be angry. And if you aren’t then maybe you haven’t been paying enough attention. As a citizen of the most diverse country in the world, it is your obligation to withhold the values and mission of America. To welcome others from different backgrounds, to support equality of all citizens regardless of their race, sexual orientation, or gender. In a land where everyone is “made equal” how is it that we have president who openly opposes the ideology on which it was found? Even from early in his presidential campaign Trump has shared his intentions of oppressing the Islamic community, consisting of over 2 billion people.

How have we elected someone who is so ignorant as to say that a minuscule group of such a massive population is its main representation? To deem 2 billion people (of the 7.4 billion currently on Earth) terrorists further fuels the Islamic stigma in the United States and drives us further from each other and silences the voices of those who now more than ever, need to be heard. Trump’s “great” America is outdated, racist, and driven by greed. While bringing home traditionally American jobs, promoting national security, and growing the wealth of our nation are definitely appealing concepts, we cannot accept that it will be done at the expense of our personal freedoms, cultural diversity, environment, and reputation as a leader in the global community.

So, where do we go from here?

We now have a president who has made it known he does not believe in equality. His executive orders say it all. He does not believe in a women’s ability to make decisions with her own body. He does not respect the religions of those who are not Christian. He has not taken the time to listen to the citizens of the nation he now represents. What could possibly be a bigger sign of disrespect than a leader who fails to address the wants and needs of those he governs? Let it be known, President Trump, If you disrespect one of us, you disrespect all of us.

You will not silence us.

Your apathy for your fellow Americans could not be clearer.

The next four years are not going to be easy. This presidency will test us, but ultimately I believe in its power to bring us closer together. That is, if we survive it. So long as we do not allow ourselves to be silenced, so long as we vow to be kind to our neighbors and respect that we will not always agree we will uphold the values that truly makes our country great.

United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s show Trump what he’s up against.