Election Day is tomorrow, and I couldn’t be more excited
that we are so close to electing the first woman president of the United
States. It’s been almost 100 years since women got the right to vote, and as a
young Latina woman, I’m proud to see the progress being made.
Hillary Clinton is one of the most hardworking women America
has ever known. She has dedicated her life to serving others, especially those
most vulnerable and marginalized by society. From working as a legal aid to
poor children and children with disabilities at the Children’s Defense Fund, to
reforming the state education system as First Lady of Arkansas, to establishing
the Children’s Health Insurance Program as First Lady of the United States, to
helping take out an enemy of our country as Secretary of State, to promoting
global health and prosperity through the Clinton Foundation, to being a fierce
advocate for women, children, working people, and people of color, Hillary is a
fighter in all the right ways.
Having said that, watching this campaign has been difficult
for me, because I can’t help but feel the unwavering hostility and hate towards
someone who to me is a role model. The truth is tampered with, and people
buy-in to the idea that she is a liar and a criminal, even though reality says
otherwise. Multiple reports on Benghazi found that it wasn’t Hillary’s fault,
but she still took responsibility. The FBI has extensively investigated her
emails, and she is cleared of wrongdoing. And yes, she has accepted money from
Wall Street, just the same as many other politicians (Democrat and Republican).
Has she made mistakes? Sure, just like any other human being, but I will argue
that the good she’s done far outweighs any bad. People will say what they want
about a woman they see as corrupt, dishonest, and nasty, but that is not the
woman I see. And just as Hillary stands for me, I will stand for her.
I trust Hillary with my future America, because I want an
America where women are paid the amount we deserve. I want an America where
people of all colors and creeds are welcomed and celebrated, not rejected and
bullied. I want an America that will place regulations on the sale of firearms
to protect our families, and where the welfare of citizens is put before the
interests of corporations. I want an America where a woman’s right to her body
and a person’s right to marry who they love is protected. I want an America
where everyone can make a decent wage, and where the wealth isn’t concentrated
to the top 1%. I want an America where public college is tuition free, and
where college grads will have the pressure of debt relieved. I want an America
that protects our earth and its resources for future generations. But most
importantly, I want an America where love trumps hate.
Friends, we have made so much progress, but there is still
work to be done. And I believe it can be done, but we’ve got to get involved.
We can’t sit by and expect things to happen for us, we have to take action. So,
I ask you, who will be your champion?
I’m with her. God bless.
Love,
Vanessa
