Why #ImWithHer

This is the first year I have been directly involved in American politics. Up until this past February, I was just an 18-year-old out to seek what meaningful work I could do in my life beyond high school. But endless articles of the Presidential race started appearing in every corner of my life, and I was introduced to Senator Bernie Sanders.

Bernie ignited this powerful feeling inside of me that made me realize that my passion to help people, my determination of getting work done, and my love for every single human being is what a politician’s core values should be. I began to study and do more research on how much I could get involved and transform this emotion into something that would have a positive impact on my friends, family, and community. I learned about the Delegates to the Democratic National Convention, and before I knew it, I was running to be a National Delegate from Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District. I was elected, pledging my support for Senator Sanders, and even became one of his Campaign Whips. In the months spanning from being elected as a Delegate to attending the Convention, I had this deep antipathy about Hillary Clinton. Because of the tremendous energy that came with Bernie’s campaign, my judgement of her was so clouded by the ferocity and agitation of my fellow Bernie supporters to the point where I completely overlooked all of the good that she has done. And in doing so, I forgot one of life’s most important lessons: that no single human being on this Earth is perfect. Not Bernie, not Hillary, not myself, no one.

During the Convention in Philadelphia, I had the honor of being in the same room of nearly every single Democratic official in the United States. And in the Georgia Delegation, the Democratic Party of Georgia officials treated all Bernie delegates with their utmost respect, even when most of them were acting very audacious. While many protests were going on during the Convention, I was more interested in the point of view from Hillary’s delegates, and in the process, we found common ground and friendship. Leaving the convention, I realized that working together was not only possible, but that it was also necessary in ensuring that we build on the progress we have made over the past 8 years rather than destroying it. And thus, I became an Organizer with the Democratic Party in Florida, the most important state in the General Election, to make sure Hillary Clinton and all Democrats are elected on November 8th.

Today, #ImWithHer. Because although Hillary is flawed, so is Bernie Sanders. And so is President Obama. And you. And I. But the difference is that these individuals have given their entire flawed lives to public service, and are now working together to save the entire world from a sociopath narcissist. And every single day, Hillary wakes up, stands in front of people, and remains the most rational and sane candidate in this race, despite the flaws that are constantly thrown at the American people. There is a crack in everything, and that’s how the light gets in.