Dear Donald

Dear Donald,

I am writing this letter to thank you.

As a white woman raised in a Christian household where I never went without a meal and never worried whether or not I would have a place to sleep, there were many issues in this country I was unaware of.

Before your presidency I didn’t realize Native Americans were still being persecuted.

Before your presidency I had never heard the term, “systemic racism.”

I never thought or cared about who might be appointed to various political positions and how their actions might affect myself, those around me, and those I’ll never meet.

I didn’t realize how many Americans hated the people of Mexico.

I didn’t realize how many Christian Americans hated people from other faiths or thought less of them for their beliefs.

I didn’t realize how many racists I had in my family.

Before your presidency I didn’t realize that, for a lot of people, America was never really all that great.

You have certainly given me a lot to think about, and I have done a great deal of self-reflection these past few years.

Last year I was pulled over for speeding. As the officer approached my car I was almost hyper-aware of how unafraid I was. I could reach for my wallet, dig through my glove compartment, and not once worry that my actions could be lethally misinterpreted.

A few years ago, I joined a dating site where I specifically stated I did not want to meet anyone who wanted children. Not long after, a white man messaged me, wanting to get to know me. After reading his profile I saw that he wanted children, but had messaged me regardless. When I confronted him on this he became angry with me for not wanting to reproduce. He said it was my responsibility as a white woman to preserve my race before we became the minority.

While discussing women’s reproductive rights with my stepdad one night, he was suddenly defensive and angry with me when I pointed out that the people deciding what I do with my body are all old, white men. “What’s wrong with old, white men?”

I have seen real fear in my best friend when she learned that, because of you, doctors may be able to turn her away if they suspected she was part of the LGBTQ+ community.

I have been called a socialist, a snowflake, and a “libtard” because I believe everyone is entitled to basic human necessities like clean water, affordable housing, a living wage, an education, and healthcare.

I have been removed from friends’ lives for simply stating that Black lives matter.

I almost lost my dad to a virus you downplayed. This same virus has taken the lives of more than 300,000 American citizens because of your incompetence and pride.

Looking back on the last four years, it’s easy to lose count of all the ways you’ve hurt this country.

Donald, your presidency has been like a strong cup of coffee. I am now awake, aware, and ready to make a change for the better. Thank you for showing me I should have been fighting for myself and others for years. You may have emboldened the racists and radicals to proudly display their prejudices, but this just makes them easier to find or avoid, depending on what changes need to be made. They are the squeaky wheels, and many of us are ready with the oil. With you, I believe our country reached an all time low - fortunately, when you hit rock bottom, there's only one way to go.

Your first campaign slogan was not all bad. In all honesty, it only needed one word omitted to be perfect.

Make America Great.

Thank you for showing us how not to run a country. Goodbye, Donald.