As you know, I haven’t posted in a while. This is because I haven’t been feeling inspired. I’ve been reading still — probably finished about five books this summer — but there has been no motivation to write book reviews. Unfortunately, I’ve always been this way with projects: I start it, sometimes (not in this case) even putting money into it, just to drop it a few days later.
That’s not the point of this post, though. The point is that, for my peace of mind, I think, I have something new to say. I’ve felt this way since Donald Trump was elected as President of the United States three years ago, and it’s taken me this long to actually follow through. Between the judgement, possible retaliation, and the internal conflict of “Do I have a right to speak about something that doesn’t affect me like it does others?” and “Abby, you care about others too much to be quiet,” I haven’t done a whole lot.
Here’s what I have done, thanks to my wonderful liberal arts education:
- I’ve been kind to everyone and anyone because all humans deserve kindness
- I’ve gone to talks on campus to get an understanding of the issues and other modes of thinking about the issues
- I’ve talked about political issues with people that do and do not hold my views
- I’ve taken classes have opened my eyes to how other people live, how they think, and the difficult experiences they go through that I have the privilege to not experience
Now I’m writing about it. My views will be here for your perusal and conversation. Ask questions. Make comments, please. I’m exercising my right to free speech and you should too.
I digress. Why am I doing this? I mentioned President Trump earlier, but it isn’t just him. Between him, some of the Republican leaders and the people electing them to office…our country’s principles — the wonderful things we’re supposed to stand for — are being disrespected and corrupted to a level that they haven’t been in a long time. Too many people are sitting by and letting this happen, and if we want any positive change in our country, the “land of the free and home of the brave,” we all need to start treating everyone with the humanity that we deserve as humans — yes, we are all human — and supporting leaders that do the same.
How do we do this? We elect a president that isn’t Trump, someone who believes that all human life matters regardless of gender identity, sexuality, skin color, occupation, socioeconomic status, citizenship status, mental ability or disability, and more. All of these things make us unique and they should be celebrated, not judged and misrepresented.
The third Democratic debate was a few days ago and now people are talking about who “won” and who “lost.” I found myself doing this, too, but then I talked to a friend and she helped me realize something. Yes, I want the country to have the best possible President I think we can, which would mean someone whose political views align with mine almost completely. I realized, though, that if any one of those ten candidates at the Democratic debate was on the ballot in November 2020 I would vote for them over Trump without even thinking about it. All of them would hold the office of President of the United States with more grace, dignity, intelligence, and respect than the incumbent.
Now we need to do our jobs, as citizens of the United States and citizens of this planet, to decide what we really, truly expect from the leader of our country, the largest super power on Earth. Where do you want our country to go? How should we look to our allies? To countries we aren’t allied with? What expectations should we hold ourselves to?
You all know what I think. Now I want you to think about this — think really, really hard — and see if you’d really be okay with another four years with President Trump. Don’t just think about this in terms of how it affects you, but how it affects your significant other, your kids, you friends and neighbors, people you work with, people you see on the news…because this affects everyone.
So, what do you think?
Novel Buzz 