In his blog post, “Our Government, The Media, and Anti-Muslim Sentiment”, L. Anderson argues that since the terrorist attack on September 11^th, 2001, Islamophobia in America has vastly increased. He goes on to say that the anti-Muslim sentiment is still being used as an “inflammatory media and political tool”, especially by the current administration. He ends his post by citing the recent attacks Rep. Ilhan Omar faced to demonstrate how the administration has weaponized the tragedy of 9/11 to create “unrest and division.”

I agree wholeheartedly with L. Anderson. Trump has continuously tried to vilify Muslims with the intention of inciting hate and creating division. At the beginning of his term, Trump signed an Executive Order that banned people from 7 predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. There was absolutely no evidence to suggest that this would make the U.S any safer. It is clear that the only reason he issued this executive order was to try to encourage the public to irrationally fear all Muslims. It is telling that the President will fabricate reasons to fear and act against Muslims, yet, he won’t even mention the very real rise in white nationalism in the U.S. 

L. Anderson effectively highlights how Islamophobia has now become a political tool. In a time where the leader of our country ignorantly spews out vitriol to divide us, we must realize that no identity, whether it be race or religion, is inherently evil.

The 46^th President of the United States needs to be the antithesis of Donald Trump. America is at a critical point- the problems we face as a country are mounting. To tackle these issues the next president should possess an in-depth knowledge of policy and how the government operates. She needs to lead with compassion- caring for all Americans, especially the most vulnerable. She must come equipped with experience- prepared to deal with the looming threats that endanger our nation, such as climate change and the rise in white nationalism. The candidate that best embodies these qualities is Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Elizabeth Warren has frequently been labeled a “policy wonk” due to her deep understanding of domestic and foreign issues. Not only is she able to accurately pinpoint the underlying causes of problems, but she is also able to present comprehensive solutions. The Democratic primary has just begun; however, Sen. Warren has already started to showcase her affinity for policy. Since she announced her candidacy, Elizabeth Warren has unveiled a series of policy proposals. These detailed proposals give clear insight into how passing sensible legislation is at the forefront of her priorities. This is a stark juxtaposition to Trump’s vague and fickle policy stances.

The first policy proposal Sen. Warren revealed was her plan for universal child care. This plan would create government-funded daycares. Families would be charged on a sliding scale, up to a maximum of 7 percent of their income. Daycare staff would be thoroughly trained and paid salaries similar to public school teachers. This plan would be funded by a wealth tax on families that have at least $50 million in assets. Early childhood care costs should not be comparable to college tuition.  In a country as rich as ours, affordable childcare should be an option for all parents, regardless of income. This proposal exemplifies how Elizabeth Warren intends to pursue legislation that benefits everyone, not just a select few. 

Although Sen. Warren is currently my first choice, it is still early. We must continue to observe the candidates and their campaigns in the months to come. The Democratic Primary is filled with strong contenders and I can’t wait to see it all unfold.