I write this not to disparage you nor to call your intelligence into question. I write this not to mock you nor to beg you to change your political views. I write this to illuminate that this is no longer a question of differing politics; this is a difference of who you believe is human.
When I registered to vote at 18, I registered as a Republican. I thought it would decrease taxes and having grown up in a rural NY town, I went with what I knew. I did not put much thought into it, honestly. I include this to say that I understand feeling confused by politics and I understand how voting within a party can make you feel safer. This, however, is in typical circumstances; the one we are in currently is anything but.
For the next four years, we will witness a sexual predator lead our country. As he does, society will begin to see sexual abuse and rape as minor offences. They already have, as we can see from several states outlawing abortions even in cases of rape. I implore you to realize that these types of violence are far from minor. Most women have been victim to sexual violence– I am no exception. It has been over ten years since the first time I was a victim of such violence and yet, over ten years later, all of my Friday mornings are spent in EMDR trauma therapy for PTSD. PTSD, as we are aware from our knowledge of war veterans with the disorder, is a monster and greatly impacts your quality of life. I am in weekly therapy, have been for almost three years, and I haven’t even gotten close to managing the effects of my PTSD.
But that was only the first occurrence. Since then, I have been victim to more gender-based violence and I live in fear of it happening again. When the man leading our country has a prolific history of sexual violence, I expect it will be more normalized. I expect to live the next four years in heightened fear.
This fear is not only for the right to my body, but for my right to live. I have been a substitute teacher on and off for five years now. I feel the most like myself in a classroom, and I love showing up for the students and making them feel valued. This said, I have no plans to teach long-term because I am scared of dying. More than that even, I am horrified of the thought of being locked in a classroom, with 30 young students, acting as target practice for anyone with a weapon. I am scared of having to tell seventh graders that I do not know if we will be okay. I am terrified of having to make the choice between running away and staying put, based on only my intuition. This is the reality of teaching. I do not expect this to change anytime soon as even government buildings are fair game for terrorist attacks, and presidents can encourage these attacks and continue to preside over our country.
I fear, too, for my access to the medications I need. Over the past four years, I have tried different medications to manage my depression, anxiety, PTSD, and ADHD. I have found medications that work (well enough) for me to be able to live my life, stay employed, and contribute meaningfully to the community I live in. But I see how this man has mocked those with disabilities. I worry about what that means for me and the antidepressants, stimulants, and other drugs I take. If he thinks disabled Americans are less human and less vital to this country, I would not be shocked if these medications were next on the chopping block.
Again, I write this to show you that these are not political differences. This administration will make my body a playground for any who want it, a thing ready to be claimed. It will make me a shooting target; I will then choose to make it a shield for those who did not have a choice in this election, for those who may not live long enough to have one. It will take away my access to healthcare, in more ways than one.
This is bigger than politics. We can have political differences and still be friends, but these are not political differences. This man is not a Republican; he is a felon with an axe to grind. Voting for him prohibits my ability to live freely. There is no freedom in an America that allows women to be raped. There is no freedom in an America that allows children to be killed as they try to receive an education. There is no freedom in an America that takes healthcare from those who need it most.
You cannot say you love someone and then vote against their freedom. You may just love your party more than you love them.
And if the price of eggs matters more to you than the life of those you love, you may just have to admit you do not love them.
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