That kind of short sighted separation is exactly the thing you claim to be standing against. Your people, Mutants, deserve to have every right to leave in a fair and equal society alongside the rest of humanity. You think separating them, claiming them to be superior, is going to help this cause in any way? Do you really think humans will simply sit by while you continue to make veiled claims of being better than they are simply because you're different? They are not your people and I know for a fact you do not speak for all of them. Claiming to do so, especially under the banner which you have created for yourself? That is an act in the best interest of none.
I was wrong in that I was short sighted, that I didn't take a proper stand when I should have to better aid the mutant community. I should have done more, much sooner than I did, to try and bridge that gap. I would never claim that to be different. It's why I founded the Unity Squad, why I put forth the olive branch and began working harder than I ever had before to put an end to the intolerable level of treatment that was endured for far too long.
I cannot apologize for my lack of oversight, I can't go back and change what I did not do where I'm from, but what I can do Erik?
What I can do is make sure it doesn't happen here.
If you want to put forth an idea that humanity, on the whole can work together? I'll stand behind you. If you want to say that there is no difference in terms of equality between any member of this society and any other? I will stand behind you. If you, or any other member of this community wants to come forth and express their concerns, to speak out against an injustice, I will stand behind you. I will do one better even, I will fight for you. I will got to bat time, and time, and time, again. I will raise my shield in your defense, because that is what you deserve. You deserve to be defended equally and fairly. You deserve to be treated the same as I would treat anyone else, human or mutant.
Your ideals of segregation only further the notion of mistrust and a lack of understanding. It perpetrates the very fear you are talking about attempting to eradicate -- much like these 'not threats' you make in your declaration of intent to run. You say you fight for those that none other would, and I say that, you sir, are blind. If you think, for one moment, that there is a member of this community who sought fairness, freedom, and equality, that I would not stand up for? You're wrong, and I would do so without trampling anyone else underfoot to see it done.
And I am not the only one. Look at this world, as it stands now. Look at the level of community, between both human, Super-Human, and mutant, and tell me...how many of them really seem to care? How many people, gifted or otherwise, do you see boarding up their windows and starting fights in the halls? Look at people such as this world's version of Tony Stark and myself, working alongside countless member of 'your people' -- who you insist are not the same as 'my people' and yet, here you are, saying that it's time to rise up and take what's yours?
Your double standards, your lack of concern for the situation at hand, as well as your short-sighted notion of "equality" is only going to further see those you would seek to protect driven under the wheel of fear. A divided house will fall, and it will fall every time.
I look forward to seeing the results on election day.