Dear Donald Trump,

I have watched your campaign over the past few months with great interest, and because of that, I am prompted to write this letter to you now. From listening to your speeches, it seems we have a bit of a misunderstanding, and I just want to get some clarification on a few points to help us both as we move forward. Before we get started, though, I want to let you know I am not a terrorist.  I also don’t think I need an ID badge, but that’s not as clear to me anymore. And, to put you at ease, I don’t mean you or anyone else any harm. With all that said, then, perhaps you don’t realize that, as a Muslim, I am a victim of your words.

I know you’re very busy, and, as an important public figure, I’m sure you have a pretty tight circle of friends, so I’ll assume you just didn’t know that every time you objectify a race or religion, you go against the principles upon which this country was built. I’ll also assume that you haven’t already realized that, except for Native Americans, every single person in the United States right now is an immigrant, including you, Mr. Trump. I’m sure you simply didn’t take that into account when you made your speeches. Again, I acknowledge you’re busy, and you may not have time for such trivialities.

Also, in your campaign, Mr. Trump, when you say you will make America great again, I’m figuring you just don’t realize you are doing the opposite. We don’t live the same lives, of course, so you probably don’t see that you’ve made my home, where I am a citizen and have lived all 16 years of my life, a scary place for me. It probably doesn’t happen to you because you ride in private jets, so maybe you don’t realize, for example, you have made getting on an airplane a frightening process. I’m sure due to your political status, you have no idea how it feels to be “randomly” chosen for security checks. It’s funny; I don’t think I’m doing anything wrong or differently than I always have but—perhaps you can help me here—should I now be afraid of what people think of me when I walk the halls of my school? Am I doing anything wrong when I speak my own language? I just thought I’d check with you to be sure. After all, you seem to have all the answers.

What can I change for you to not have you see me as a terrorist? Is it the color of my skin? How I pray five times a day? I just want to be sure, you know, so I don’t misstep. I am still allowed to do those things, right? Or maybe not now? It’s all very confusing, as you can imagine. I ask not to nitpick, but because it is becoming harder for me to live a peaceful, normal life in this country. I need to know, Mr. Trump, if I should just move out. Would that be easier for you?

From your high poll numbers, I also see that a lot of citizens here support your proposed changes. I’ll assume some of these supporters live here in my community, so I’m trying to do my best to make everyone happy.

I’m sure you’re a very busy man, Mr. Trump, and I appreciate it if you took the time to read and consider my questions. I’m sure a busy politician like you doesn’t have time to read a letter from just any person. I hope my words don’t offend you. I just really need to know.

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,
Manahil Nadeem

The views in this column do not necessarily reflect the views of the HiLite staff. Reach Manahil Nadeem at [email protected].