Trigger Warning: this article includes topics about harassment

There has been contention lately about why folks are protesting in Portland, and all over the country. Some reasons (given by non-protesting Facebook humans) as to why people are protesting are:

- "Because they [the protestors] grew up with 'participation' trophies and having their parents shelter them from failure. Now...they don't know how to act because they didn't get their way."

- "People are vastly hypocritical and just plain stupid"

- "Because they know they're in an administration that doesn't care who they hurt or what they destroy and they know they can get away with it"

Well, I would like to argue that I am not pitching a fit because I "didn't get my way". I'm not "hypocritical and stupid". And I certainly do not condone destroying others' property, or acting violently. So if I didn't protest for the above reasons, then why did I?

Throughout Donald Trump's campaign, he has said many discriminatory things against Latino/Latinas, African Americans, Muslims, LGBTQA+ peoples, Asians, and women. Now, hate crimes have followed in the wake of Donald Trump's winning the presidential election. White students at Southern Lehigh High School made "heil Hitler" gestures. Nichole McGhee, an African-American woman in Bloomington, FL was told by high-school age students to "go back to Africa". A Latino boy was attacked in school, his attackers telling him they "can't wait until Trump deports him". Yet another incident occurred when a man yelled "grab her by the pussy," before his friend attempted to inappropriately touch a woman on the subway.

The argument that minorities and women are "overly sensitive" has to end. These hateful crimes cannot be dismissed. Our own Declaration of Independence states that "all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness...". This was proclaimed in the birth of our nation and yet, our country's history is riddled with hatred and discrimination.

Still.

Slavery ended because those who were enslaved refused to remain silent any longer. LGBTQA+ marriage became legal because that community held themselves with pride and demanded change. Women seized their right to vote by protesting, and refusing to follow the dictates of society. No change ever occurs from silence.

THAT is why I protest.

Not because I believe that holding a sign and marching around for three hours will magically un-elect Donald Trump. But because I believe that everyone deserves to be treated equally, and no one should have to fear for their safety. My actions are not a matter of sour grapes, stupidity, or desire for destruction. Instead, I send a signal that I stand with those who are oppressed. I will not tolerate hatred, and I will do my part to change society into one that promotes acceptance. This job cannot be accomplished singlehandedly, however.

It is the job of everyone to unite against an oppressive system. Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, Greens, Independents. Every religion, every gender identity, every race. There can be no more "us vs. them," because in a society where everyone is equal, there is no "them". I protest against a nation in which there is only "us vs. them". In protesting, I gained hope that there are people who believe as I do....who believe that despite the upcoming trials, love will endure.

I believe love will endure. It has to.