The 2020 election is right around the corner and we cannot stay silent this year. You cannot let this opportunity to make your voice heard pass you by. It is SO important to exercise your right to vote. As President Obama said, every vote matters. This is true where you feel it or not.

Recently, I had a virtual happy hour with some ladies. And we were asked by the organizer to avoid discussing politics. I 100% understand her reason for asking and respected the request during that time. I joked that I’d have to look up other topics for conversation, but the truth is we have so much going on in our lives that it was pretty easy to avoid any controversial topics. And I really did want to hear about new jobs, new babies, new marriages, etc… I didn’t want to spend the time talking about Trump’s handling of COVID, or how Biden isn’t quite as progressive as I’d like, or my opinions on Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation hearing so far. I wanted to just catch up with my girlfriends.

However, it did get me thinking about how much of my daily thoughts and conversations would be considered political. And the truth is, I’m okay with that! I’m okay being political. Especially right now.

This year feels so much more urgent than other elections. With a pandemic ravaging communities, our country’s history of systemic racism being put in the spotlight (and then being denied by the highest office), and the continued struggle for healthcare, women’s rights, the economy on the line, this is a BIG year to make some important decisions. And these are not decisions that any of us should be taking lightly.

The fact of the matter is that I strongly believe we cannot allow another four years of a Trump presidency. I believe there are groups of people who will be at high risk if he is voted in for another term. We’ve already seen instances of domestic terrorist groups latching on to his words as mantras, permission to do unthinkable harm to other Americans. I worry for young girls who will grow up without access to healthcare that will allow them to make safe and informed decisions about their bodies and their futures. I worry about the safety and well-being of immigrants who comes to our country hoping for a better life. I worry about the homeless who are treated as less than, about those struggling with addiction who will have increasingly limited options to get help.

I hope my impassioned words don’t come across as disingenuous because I truly believe there is so much at stake this year. We all have an obligation to look at the whole picture and make a decision that will move our country in the right direction. And not for some abstract idea of what makes America great. Because what makes America great is it’s people. If we continue to ignore that there are people in danger and hurting…we will never be great.