When you grow up post-9/11 in America as a Muslim- it’s very common for you to think: “it can’t get worse than this.” Yet here I am, practically 16 years later after a tragedy that took place when I was a mere toddler, and things are only getting worse.

It’s important to keep that in mind as you read my piece because I want everyone to understand that these — very valid — feelings didn’t just sprout when Trump became a front-runner for president. Not at all. In fact, they’ve been around since the vilification and isolation of Muslims in America — which has always existed. The only difference now is that it’s being glorified and justified, and no longer happening behind closed doors.

Trump (and everything that comes with him) is an exact representation of the problems that are deeply rooted within our country’s history. This includes (but is not limited to) racism, homophobia, xenophobia, discrimination, and classism.

Heads up to the bigots and trolls: being open about these reoccurring issues doesn’t make me any less American- it means I love this place enough to hold it accountable and want to fix it. Nonetheless, let’s all take a minute to realize that I actually have to insert this disclaimer and justify my “American-ess” when exercising my first amendment rights.

If you didn’t get the hint, what I’m trying to express is that American-Muslims are very familiar with the notion of not being welcomed here. We experience it in both micro and macro aggressions on a daily basis, we experience it in the uncomfortable stares, in the assaults, in the extra security measures at the airport, in the attacks on our places of worship, and now we’re experiencing it further in laws that are indirectly promoting all of the above.

This “ban on Muslims” (which also affects immigrants that are here legally by the way) has absolutely nothing to do with national security, and everything to do with straight up discrimination. If this was about national security, then why does the executive order give priority to Christian refugees coming from the same place also seeking asylum? Are you really telling me that some people are less deserving of a safe place to call home because they come from a different faith? Where are the #AllLivesMatter people now? Do I need to remind you of the poem emblazoned the Statue of Liberty?

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

You can’t impose your imperialism on these countries, invade them, financially support their destruction, and then complain about innocent refugees that are literally fleeing for their life.

Similarly, you can’t cast your vote for Trump and then sit back in silence as chaos unrolls from his hasty actions. In the end, we know exactly why you’re silent, and it’s because your privilege speaks for you. However, that doesn’t make you any less complicit. I urge you to please sit back and reflect on this.

This past week has made myself and millions of others feel overwhelmed and terrified for the future. I’m pretty sure that’s how refugees have been feeling for years – unsure of how the political world is going to screw them over again. Did you ever think about that?

Furthermore, Muslims all over the world have been experiencing more emotions and scattered thoughts than we can handle and plenty of threats and attacks. And I don’t say this because Muslims want your pity — nay, everyone affected by this wants justice, genuine support, and allyship. So educate yourself, spread the knowledge to your local reps, break through your privileged bubble, advocate, speak up, and protect each other. And lastly, do not further normalize hate and discrimination – instead, unlearn these habits.