Please Respect My Choice | Teen Ink

Please Respect My Choice MAG

May 6, 2016
By RosieRivtr PLATINUM, Fountain Hills, Arizona
RosieRivtr PLATINUM, Fountain Hills, Arizona
22 articles 0 photos 46 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Be the change you want to see in the world&quot;<br /> ------Ghandi


When I first made it clear early in the election cycle that I was a Hillary Clinton supporter, people already knew I was a feminist. Upon my declaration of my presidential choice, I was shocked by the rage directed at me, even from my closest friends, who are Democrats themselves. One close friend (a Bernie Sanders supporter) asked, “Are you just supporting Hillary because she’s a woman?” He, an outspoken liberal feminist, like me, was suddenly acting as if my opinion wasn’t valid. What was going on? I felt affronted, and replied with a defiant, “No. I support her because I think she’s the most qualified.”

I noticed this rift more and more as the election season progressed. Along with bringing out the worst in the candidates – for example, Donald Trump’s and Ted Cruz’s various racist remarks – it brought out the worst in the general public. All of a sudden, everyone seemed so divided, even within the same party.

I had once felt welcomed and in harmony with my Democratic friends, but now I felt like an outsider. There were so many double standards: If you were a Bernie supporter you were “progressive” but a “communist,” and if you were a Hillary supporter you were “moving the country forward” yet holding it back because she was “untrustworthy.” I had thought my Democrat friends and I were working together to change the world for the better, and all of a sudden we were torn apart.

This election also brought to light for me what it means to be a feminist, because I could finally understand why so many people claim that they aren’t. From the start of the election run-up, you could look all over Instagram and see “If you’re a feminist, vote for Hillary!” and “If you’re a real feminist, vote for Bernie!” What happened to the definition of feminism that I learned? The definition that expressed the mere belief that there should be equality of the sexes? That anyone’s opinion, regardless of their gender, is valid. Where did all of these other requirements come from?

Election year was supposed to be a year in which we could move our country forward. Instead, we held it back by getting so caught up in our own opinions that we completely disrespected others. There was division instead of unity and labeling instead of freedom.

I do not support Hillary because I am a feminist. I support her because she is my choice for president.



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This article has 2 comments.


Ruby2598u GOLD said...
on Oct. 17 2016 at 12:23 am
Ruby2598u GOLD, Brooklyn, New York
18 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Nobody is perfect. I am nobody. Therefore, I am perfect."

Isn't the massive population this year what inspired most to get into politics? I mean, I understand if people are getting too opinionated when it comes to Trump or Clinton or Sanders, but as the title says, we need to respect each other. But going back to my point: At my school, only a couple of my classmates were really into politics. With this year's election around, more of my friends began following each of the candidates campaign and watching the debates. Lunchtime is usually quiet with my friends, but now they're debating over Trump and Hilary. It's actually nice to see my friends more lively, and I'm learning more about the candidates everyday. I do understand where you're coming from, but my opinion on the 2016 election differs. I hope you respect my opinion.

on Sep. 23 2016 at 1:55 pm
Drummer_GirlEmii SILVER, Enterprise, Utah
5 articles 2 photos 10 comments

Favorite Quote:
Don&#039;t grow up!<br /> (It&#039;s a trap)

Honestly, I hate having politics at school. I see so many friends, acquaintances and even families bully one another over things like this. I just kind of wish we could get the dumb election over with.