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An Open Letter To My Family This Thanksgiving

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pace chapter.

Dearest Fam,

I love you, I really do. But this Thanksgiving I am less than thrilled to sit across the table from you. You see the reason that I am being so quiet is because I am upset. Why am I upset? Good question! I am upset because a few weeks ago we elected someone whose opinions I do not agree with and whose promises may threaten my rights and the rights of many people that I care about.

Yet, if I say a word about this, I will be accused of being a “cry baby” or a “sore loser.” Trust me, if you didn’t operate under the level of privilege that you do and you were now living in fear, you would be crying too. Oh you don’t understand why I and millions of others are afraid? We are afraid that with one election, eight years of progress is down the drain. We are afraid because now it is okay to say anything you want and do anything you want. We are afraid because millions of law-abiding people may be ostracized because of their beliefs. We are afraid because rape culture is real and perpetuated by people in the highest levels in the land.

But maybe we should just agree to keep politics off the table this Thanksgiving. I think it will be best to get through this meal without being at each other’s throats. If you want to discuss politics, maybe we can talk about it over a cup of coffee once the plates have been cleared. I welcome healthy discussion; I would love to hear your side. Yet what I fear that instead of this being a good debate it will mostly be inflammatory comments directed at me and I would really like to enjoy this home cooked meal instead of feeling attacked.

Now that we have cleared this up, shut up and pass the turkey.

Hi, my name's Savannah and I'm an apple living in the big apple. I love red sour patch kids and huge cups of coffee. Always on the look out for good books and new adventures.
Hi! My name is Jacqueline and I am a senior communication studies major with minors in business and women and gender studies at Pace University. I am the president / campus correspondent for the Her Campus Pace Chapter and the president of the production club PopTV. I am a Hufflepuff and lover of all things Harry Potter! Also, I am a HUGE Marvel fan! When I am not writing and leading Her Campus, I like to spend my time reading, watching Netflix, and singing every song that comes on Spotify.