Trump Doesn't Speak For Me

A Trump presidency would be disastrous. This isn’t just about politics. He has no respect for women, different ethnicities, different faiths, or even the disabled. I fit into two of those categories and I can’t stand the thought of this man representing our country. I’m sure we’ve all seen the video in which he mocks a disabled reporter. Trump is clearly imitating Kovaleski’s disability — the reporter has arthrogryposis, which visibly limits the functioning of his joints.  Trump’s ugly mockery of Kovaleski shows his immaturity and blunt disrespect of those of us who don’t fit in to his small, cruel America.

Anastasia Somoza, a disability rights advocate, gave a speech in support of Hillary Clinton at the DNC on July 25.  Somoza praised Clinton’s depth of understanding of the challenges facing people with disabilities and how the whole country benefits when it helps them manage those challenges. She also slammed Donald Trump by saying, “Donald Trump has shown us who he really is and I honestly feel bad for anyone with that much hate in their heart,” Somoza told the crowd. “Donald Trump doesn’t see me, he doesn’t hear me and he definitely doesn’t speak for me.”

Having people with disabilities take on Trump is an effective strategy for Secretary Clinton: voters with disabilities are also a potential source of support. We need to make our voices heard and repeat Somoza’s cry that Donald Trump doesn’t speak for us.