Hundreds of heads at the Texas Tribune Festival turned in my direction as the lights narrowed in on me. Adjusting the mic to accommodate my short stature, I took a deep breath and made eye contact with a politician who may not even appreciate my presence in America.
"Hi, I'm Zoya," I started. "I'm a sophomore at the University of Texas Austin." Texas senator Ted Cruz smiled at me, which sent shivers down my back. "I'm also a Pakistani-American Muslim." He muttered "mhm" and took a sip of water.
"I just wanna know what you think I can expect from a Trump presidency and if Muslims, or how Muslims like me, can feel comfortable in a government that has outwardly been racist and/or xenophobic to Muslims and other minorities."
Somehow, I found a way to translate an overwhelming amount of emotions into a single question.
The audience cheered louder than I expected. I felt the collective support of the communities Cruz has offended and undermined by calling for police to "patrol and secure" their neighborhoods.
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