Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day. Every year, I listen to his speech “I have a dream”. I have fought for the dream of unity, kindness, freedom, justice, friendship, and hope.
Not Trump‘s dream of power, retribution, sexism, patriarchy, and wealth.
But this is where I live now. Trump’s land. Not Dr. King’s land. I live in a country hostile to people I love. A country dominated by fear of the other. The different. People who don’t fit the idea of what a real American should be.
I look the part, but I am not free. I can pass, but it is not me.
I believe in a country where people are allowed to be themselves without fear of violence.
Where people of all abilities are accepted and every space is accessible. I want every elevator to work.
I want a country that believes education is good.
I want Marjorie Taylor Greene to shut the fuck up.
I don’t know how to move forward in my country when only the rich are free and only the white are protected. When only men have a voice and women have a voice only when a man gives it to them.
I am lucky. I am white. I am cisgender. I don’t look queer.
Most of the people I care about will never look American enough for Trump. So today I am asking, how will I fight for those who can’t hide who they are?
How will you?