By Dear Politicians,
You have inaccurately portrayed, spoken, and depicted us throughout this election, successfully igniting the spark to fear for our existence in this country. To speak so broadly and vaguely about each and every one of us that you have victimized, as if you understand the struggle and burden of carrying our outlying identity, only enlightens us, the very people who have created the basic foundation of what this country is today, the physical capacity of arrogance and egotism one human being can possibly withhold. In a nutshell, you were wrong about us, many of us.
When you were given a platform to speak on behalf of many diverse backgrounds to a general audience, you must understand the great responsibility you were bearing of influencing the American people. Let us forget what our parents have taught us when we were trying to face school bullies about sticks and stones breaking bones, but words will never hurt, because they do. They have consequences as well—but this time, we’re paying for it, not you. It’s been more than two weeks since the fate of this country for the next four years was revealed and many political supporters have clearly, verbally and physically voiced their opinions on the presence of our existence in this country.
Muslims
Throughout this election, every time the subject of Muslims was brought up, there was a direct association with the extremist group ISIS. We’ve heard both candidates advocate to defeat ISIS by encouraging Muslims to collaborate with them, but can we ask, is that all we’re good for?
When you were given a platform to speak on behalf of many diverse backgrounds to a general audience, you must understand the great responsibility you were bearing of influencing the American people.
“I’ve been living in the United States since I was in third grade and now I’m a sophomore in university. My family left Yemen over a decade ago and have come to adopt this place as our new home. With the many opportunities that we have been given to build a comfortable standard of living, I don’t believe that I should allow my religious status to be taken advantage of by submitting to a suicide squad that intends to defeat a terrorist extremist group that mis portrays a religion practiced by 1.6 billion people. Ironically, America is not just at war with Muslims outside of this country. The U.S. has made it clear multiple times having Muslim Americans residing in the U.S. wages a World War III, but then has the audacity to ask for help from the very same people. I am here to stay, no matter what they say,” one Muslim, Abrar Al Emad said.
Mexicans
Mexicans were misportrayed multiple times throughout the election. Being accused of being rapists and drug dealers who are stealing “our jobs,” it’s time that we understand the real reason why so many come to the U.S.
Our Free Trade Deal, that has been promised numerous times to be reformed is a main contributing factor as to why many immigrant Mexicans have left their home. We need to understand that the immigration issue cannot easily be solved by relying on a systemic time-consuming process, because life does not pause for these immigrants who are trying to build a better life. For most, it is either leave their home now, or wait until you are killed.
We need to understand that the immigration issue cannot easily be solved by relying on a systemic time-consuming process, because life does not pause for these immigrants who are trying to build a better life.
LGBTQIA+
The opposition for same sex marriage was made very clear in this election. You are rightfully entitled to your own opinion, whether that meant you believed in “traditional values” and Adam and Eve, or you choose to defy the social norm and let Adam and Steve rightfully cohabitate and be seen as legally married under the law. That does not, however, justify infringing on someone’s inalienable right to pursue their happiness however they so please.
It is inarguably inhumane and immoral for you to believe that an authority was bestowed upon to you or that you have a divine obligation to dictate the manner in which a person chooses to satisfy their happiness. The path in which an individual chooses to steer their life in, should not be subject to the whim of the majority because it is irrelevant to their existence.
African Americans
African Americans face a mutual issue of being misportrayed in the media as well as being wrongfully subjected to unnecessary or harsh abusive treatment by law enforcement, despite the significance of their accomplishments. Members of the caucasian race, have openly voiced multiple opinions denying the issue of having an unleveled playing field to be successful and that is the problem. It is immoral to voice an opinion representing an entire race that is being victimized, when you do not identify within that race. If you have not walked a mile in their shoes, how can you speak on their behalf? This was clearly demonstrated when many Americans feared for their lives only to have their issues belittled by those who supported the Republican presidential candidate.
It is inarguably inhumane and immoral for you to believe that an authority was bestowed upon to you or that you have a divine obligation to dictate the manner in which a person chooses to satisfy their happiness.
“I have seen people who look like me killed in cold blood by people who have sworn to serve and protect, because they perceived dark skin as a threat. I have seen people that look like me ignored by the government when asking for clean water in Flint.
My mother came to America and became an OB/GYN despite the odds, to provide everything for me and my sister. Donald Trump’s presidency will hurt many people who have been routinely pushed to society’s margins. My heart hurts for them. Right now, I am a political science major with a minor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, a member of the Honors College and I am a Presidential Award Program Scholar, with the hopes of going to law school. I am the child of immigrants, I have a voice, it will be heard,” Frederique Desrosiers said.
African American voters were also asked during a campaign speech what they had to lose by voting for the Republican candidate. For starters, how about everything?
If you have not walked a mile in their shoes, how can you speak on their behalf?
“This election has made me feel like I’m less than a whole person. Trump and his campaign have told me that ‘I have nothing to lose’ because I am Black. My Black life matters just as much as the White, Christian, straight male next to me. I hope that the next four years are not as divisive as his campaign was. I pray for the prosper and togetherness of our country,” Alycia Carson said.
‘Go back to your country,’ This is our country!
Let us finally understand that we are all equally foreign to this country, unless you possess Native American descent in you. To have the audacity to command someone to “go back home” only reveals how truly ignorant you are and rightfully classifies you as a hypocrite. Your ancestors immigrated here through Angel island or Ellis Island for the same reason our parents are today.