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UK | Life

Being a Republican in College

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Taylon Baker Student Contributor, University of Kentucky
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UK chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

“You voted for Donald Trump?”

 

“I did not know you were super Christian.”

 

“So are you like, racist against black people?”

 

I have heard these questions so many times that I have lost count. This is the life of a republican in college.

 

When I first got to the university, I had no idea honestly what I was in for when it came to politics on campus. I thought everyone would be like my hometown, paying little attention to what political party you belonged to.

 

My first experience with this was when I had a republican elephant pin on my backpack. People would look at me more. I even had some people come up and make comments to me. It was honestly so much that I took the pin off. It made me dislike the other major party, because I thought they were more about being yourself. I asked myself, why couldn’t I?

 

Countless other times I have told my friends that I am a republican, and they change how they act toward me. They are careful with what they say, or they look at me like I am judging them. The ones that are more comfortable with me will always ask, “Well, what do you mean? Economically or socially?” When it reality, it should not matter. I am still the same me.

 

Political parties are something that should not be such a big deal on campus, but they are. I have gotten to the point that I keep my political views to myself, and I do not open my mouth to partake in conversation. I know that if I do, it typically always ends with “You are a bigot republican,” or “You are such a Trump supporter,” when in reality, neither of those are actually even true.

 

Being a republican in college is not easy. You will be judged. You will be accused of being a bigot, racist, and a Trump supporter. Some people will look at you and roll their eyes. This is just the reality that is college campuses.

 

I am here to say that I am not racist though. I am for women’s rights. I am for gay rights. I am for happiness. I am for a thriving economy. I am against tyranny. I am for the environment. I am for reform. I am for assisting other countries. I am for love. I am for the people. I am a republican.

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Taylon Baker

UK '20

Taylon is a senior English student student at UK. She is both a Staff Writer and Social Media Director for Her Campus UK. She is involved in College Mentors for Kids as the Vice President of Fundraising, Sigma Tau Delta - English Honors Fraternity, and Robinson Scholars. Her go-to Starbucks drink is an iced cold brew with almond milk and two pumps of white chocolate mocha.