Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

    Dear Mr. Trump,

    “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
    What you have read above is the Preamble to the United States Constitution. Though it is placed beneath your name, I hope you do not consider yourself to be above those words. I hope you do not believe yourself to be above this country, and, most of all, I hope you do you not believe yourself to be above the people you will soon be serving.
    I am here, Mr. Trump, as one of the “people.” I do not claim to speak for all because that is a task too awesome for one person to take on. I do claim, however, to speak for myself. I am a Muslim, an immigrant, a woman, and a million other things. In short, I am a human being.
    As such,  I believe you may not be aware of basic human rights, given the promises you have made during your campaign and the words you have used to describe certain groups of people. The Preamble establishes these basic human rights needed to uphold the country you have recently been elected to lead. I hope you will look to the passage as a guideline for your presidential agenda.  
    Let us first consider “establish Justice.” Because the Preamble says nothing about only a certain race deserving Justice, I believe we can assume that it is meant for everyone. That means that yes, Black Lives Matter, but more so, black lives deserve to be answered for. In order to answer for these lost lives you must address the systemic racism in this country. Elaborate Tweets about the importance of law and order will not change a thing for African Americans. Action, Mr. Trump, speaks louder than 140 characters.
    Unfortunately, your lack of presenting a reasonable plan of action has led to false pretexts about “[providing] for the common defense.” Providing defense does not entail campaigns to ban Muslims. It does not entail threats of building a wall. Such promises have led your supporters to believe that “different” and “dangerous” are synonymous.
    I am one of the “different,” and I can tell you that we are frightened of the future. We are scared to show our faith. We are scared to show our culture. We are scared to talk about our struggles and our triumphs.
    We are scared to live.
    You have crippled our wills, Mr. Trump. Your job now, in pursuit of the “common defense,” is to find ways to undo the heartbreak and fear that you have begun to set in place.
    Along with providing defense, I hope you will pay close attention to the “general welfare,” and, more specifically, the well-being of women. When you decide to ignore the millions of women who need help from Planned Parenthood or abortion clinics or when you ignore the fact that your “locker room talk” is affecting the vulnerabilities of women across the country, I hope you will remember the women who have stood behind you throughout your entire campaign and, most importantly, the woman who respectfully accepted the results of this election. Above all else, I hope you will think of women as you think of yourself: someone who always deserves care and respect.
    I would also like to address how you can “insure domestic tranquility” and “secure the blessings of liberty.” Though you may not realize it, Mr. Trump, liberty has limits.There is no peace in America, and there will be no peace if you do not lead this country beyond tolerance. As President, you must take the time to show that humanity must outweigh unjust thoughts towards a group of people who have done nothing wrong.
    Finally, let us consider “a more perfect union.” At its core, a perfect union is one that allows for “white privilege” to be replaced with acceptance and equality. White privilege, Mr. Trump, is not the advantages that come with white skin; rather, it is the privilege of knowing what to expect out of an election such as this one. It is the privilege of waking up without fear. It is the privilege of leading a life unchanged.
    This white privilege has made our union unbalanced. At this point in our history, it is difficult to even refer to the U.S. as a union. It is up to you, Mr. Trump, to restore that status and redefine privilege. In order to do so, you must step down from your tower and put yourself at a level with other Americans. It is the only way you will see the hardships of the people who have a built a country that I believe you have taken for granted. I am dedicated to establishing a perfect union, and I will do my part as a citizen if you do your part as my president. Please do not disappoint me.

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    Dear Mr. Trump,