Calling Out Trump and Pence

Recently, Mr. Trump and Mr. Pence have been getting called out quite a bit. First, Mr. Pence was called out at the end of Hamilton the Musical. Dixon, an actor in the musical, said, “We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us. All of us." Many people have called this disrespectful, arguing that the theater should be a safe place for any politician. However, I wish someone would have told John Wilkes Booth that.

Shock rung through all Americans, surely, as Mr. Trump started hate-tweeting once again. Mr. Trump has demanded that the cast of Hamilton to apologize to Mr. Pence. I do not agree. I believe that freedom of speech follows all Americans everywhere. Without the freedom of speech, I might not be writing this story. To be blunt, I believe if you are going to say ignorant things about people of certain ethnicity, religion, and sexuality, you must be prepared for protests coming from people who fight for equality.

I also have a question. How should Americans protest? When we take a knee during the National Anthem like San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7), some call it disrespectful and demand for those players to be benched. When we take to the streets, some call it being too violent and say that whatever happens to those protestors, they deserved it. My point is, whether Americans are peaceful with their protests or not, someone will always cry that it is unfair. I believe what the cast of Hamilton did was amazing, brave, and necessary. They risked their careers to stand up for something they believe in. They didn’t set an American flag on fire or take a knee during the National Anthem. No, all they did was speak their mind. They spoke their mind just like Green Day during the American Music Awards (AMAs.)

Instead of calling out Mr. Pence this time, Green Day focused their attention to Mr. Trump. During their song, they can be quoted in saying, “No Trump. No KKK. No fascist USA!” To define fascism according to Dictionary.com, “A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing oppositions and criticism, regimenting all industry , commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.” To be quite honest, I believe this perfectly describes Mr. Trump. I have perceived his image to be an extreme nationalist to the point of shutting out other nationalities and even calling them “rapists” and “drug dealers.”

I know that Mr. Trump will become the next president of the United States. I have accepted this fact. However, I refuse to ignore all the awful things he said and done. For the next four years, I will voice my opinion. Since I did not have a voice in this election, I will continue to say how I feel. I will not do so in a whiney post on Facebook without any real sources, rather an informational story with actual facts. The truth will always be what is important to me whether I have to call out a minute figure in the world or Trump himself.