I was so nervous the first time I protested for reproductive rights. We were outside of the courthouse of Nacogdoches and I did not know what to expect. I was thinking how could this shy college first-year student stand up for what she believed in and not feel anxious? I was thinking all the what it is like…
“Is someone going to yell at me?” or “Is someone going pull out a weapon?”
Luckily though, I was with Her Campus SFA and tons of other strong people, and that made me less nervous to be there. I hate that with the world we live in, we must be afraid for our safety when we are just peacefully protesting what we believe in.
I ended up being interviewed for the local news and that is something high-school me would never do in a million years. After the rally, I was so proud that I went, and it made me want to go another. Her Campus decided that it would be cool to join forces with some organizations on campus and have our very own protest. We ended up calling it “Protect Texas Reproductive Rights Rally”, and we started working with Texas Rising SFA, The SFA LGBTQ+ caucus and the SFA College Democrats right away.
Deep down I knew coming down to it, I would be nervous again. This time it was on campus, at the student center. It was not that I was embarrassed that I believed a certain way, but it was the fear of judgement. The fear of judgement gets the best of us and only being a first-year student, I was afraid I would lose the small number of friends I have made because of my beliefs.
I know what you are thinking: if they do not want to be my friend after I stood up for what I believed in then, they are not a good friend in the first place.
I ended up having an enjoyable time at the rally, spending time with amazing people all protesting for the same cause. I am so glad I went and that I did not let my nerves get the best of me.
My advice is to always stand up for what you believe in and do not let your fear of judgement get in the way of speaking your mind.