A couple of months ago, we were rushing out the door (it seems I start every story that way…smh) So we were rushing out the door and the news was on, my husband leaves after us so he was still watching TV. Trump comes on and says something to the effect of not allowing Muslims to come into the US. For those of you who don’t live in the US and haven’t been following the elections here, Trump is the Republican Nominee for President of the United States and the elections are in November.
My then eight-year-old daughter, she just turned nine this month, looks at me with pure terror in her eyes and says.
Donald Trump is going to make us leave! He doesn’t like Muslims. Is he going to be president and make us leave?
Is he going to be president?
How did we get here?
How has he gotten this far?
I was speaking with a colleague a couple of days ago and asked if she saw the Democratic National Convention. She said no and continued on to say she wasn’t sure she wanted to vote…
What?
I had to get on my soap box and start my rant. It was for about three minutes, but it felt like 15!
Not voting? Do you want him to win? Because that is essentially what you’re doing by not using your voice.
Now let’s be clear, I’m not pro Hilary I’m just anti Trump. Yes, I get she is the first woman in the US to be nominated by a major party and she has broken through the glass ceiling, but she doesn’t represent me. She is part of an establishment who has a history of not standing up for people who look like me.
I am a triple minority. Black. Woman. Muslim. In that order.
So when my daughter looks at me for safety and guidance about her future, our future, here in the United States of America I want to be able to tell her, we will be ok.
We won’t be if Trump becomes our next President. Even if you look over the fact that he is bigoted, doesn’t like women, Muslims, or anyone who doesn’t look like him. Just think of how he will represent America globally. How many nations will he piss off because he speaks from his #ss most of the time?
So when you speak with your family, friends, co-works or anyone else you run across who says ‘I am not voting because I’m disgusted with them both’ pull them aside and talk to them.
By doing nothing, you are helping Trump win.
Voting for an independent is helping Trump win.
Hilary is not my first choice by any means, but she is the lesser of the two evils.
I’m here to tell you that your voice matters, not just for president, but for Congress, the Senate, your Mayor and Governor. All of these people shape our laws and affect our daily lives even more than the president.
So please use your voice and encourage everyone around you to do the same. If not for you, for our children.
I felt I had to state my opinion because there are too many people sitting on the side lines waiting for someone else to make the decision for them.
Please pass this on and continue the conversation.
What do you think? Do you think Trump will win? Let us know in the comments.
5 Responses
It’s still “The ballot or the bullet!”
I hear you but I am also tired of the lesser of two evils. When Bush was running we had the same approach and look where that left us. If there was ever time for revolution its at these moments when everyone is paying attention, as people of color, Muslims, immigrants, working class/poor people, and general reasonable who believe in equity and justice we all need to actively fight trump. But I’m still not completely convinced that voting for Hillary is the only action we can take to fight Trump. I need alternative actions perhaps beyond the ballot. Voting out of fear just doesn’t work anymore. Thanks for sharing the thoughts.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I agree, a fear based vote is not where we should be. Unfortunately, there is no solid plan to keep him out other than voting her in. A revolution should be organized, wide spread and move quickly because we vote in less than three months. Until that happens- she is plan B.
I think trump has a very strong chance to win because history is repeating itself. Study German history and learn why people blamed the Jews. I went to a trump speech early on, and I overheard very nasty comments from the people in the line as my hijab was a hat not a typical scarf. It always amazes me how hateful people will rant when they think everyone around them shares their opinion. Hillary has an equal chance, but I agree with the less of the two. There is NO choice but to vote for Hillary!
Thank you for sharing your story! People can be very hateful, it’s born out of ignorance and lack of empathy. History will continue to repeat itself if enough people don’t take a stand.