I've been keeping my mouth shut about the election since the nominees were selected. I never revealed who I voted for and I often remained neutral through the entire election online in order to avoid unnecessary arguments. But I can no longer hold my tongue. Why? Because I'm mad.

Not at Trump. Not at Hillary. Not at the media. I'm mad at us.

Here's the thing-- one of the issues I keep hearing involving Trump is how much he has divided us or will divide us in the future. It has been said that he is going to cause a division of race, gender, class, sexuality, and so on. Perhaps one may believe his ideas single out specific people or that his future plans will create significant issues for a certain group. Whether you believe that or not, Trump's decisions will not be what causes us to divide.

Since Trump was selected to run as the Republican nominee, there have been numerous occasions where one side attacks the other-- and I mean physically. Fights, brutal attacks, inappropriate behavior have been major reactions from both sides. Outspoken voters are being taunted and their homes are being vandalized. The media reports it and we automatically start saying stuff like "typical liberals/republicans" or articles pop up saying "republicans/liberals clearly have a mental disorder." I've also heard quite a few "I bet that person voted for Trump/Hillary" when a person does something wrong. But you know what? These are extremists. And neither candidate is responsible for what these people are doing. I can guarantee that the rest of the people who support that party don't want to be associated with them. I can also guarantee that these criminals attacking people because of who they voted for were already extremists. Trump's nominations was just an excuse. No one suddenly became racist, sexist, or violent after Trump won. These people would have found a different reason to act out. We should not be letting these extremists determine our view of either side. Is that not a form of stereotyping? And is stereotyping not one of the huge issues so many people have with Trump? Shouldn't we rise above that?

For the average democrats and republicans, I have noticed dozens of media posts about Trump supporters and anti-Trump supporters. I can't tell you how many people I saw declaring on social media that they would no longer be friends with anyone who was voting for Trump/Hillary. This is completely dividing us!! Why are we determining friendship based on who we voted for? I know for a fact that there some incredible people who are republicans and incredible people who are democrats. I know great people who voted for Hillary and great people who voted for Trump. Ending a friendship because they disagree with you is only helping this idea that our country is divided. One of the great parts about America is that we have the ability to vote freely and to freely speak about our beliefs. No one should have to feel like they have to stay in silence because those who disagree cannot accept a different point-of-view. Maybe the other person saw Hillary as the better option, maybe they saw Trump as the better option. Either way, we should have the ability to show respect and accept those who believe differently than us (note: this does not include the extremists).

My point is that in order for us to remain united, we the people have to take the action, not Trump. We are what's keeping us divided. Republicans and Democrats can be friends, Hillary supporters and Trump supporters can be friends. We should be able to have civil debates and discussions about politics rather than fighting and screaming. If you simply can't handle discussing politics, don't talk about it. There are plenty of other things to bring us together-- music, sports, movies, hobbies-- SO much more. It's up to us to recognize that. This doesn't mean that Trump voters can't continue to root for him and this doesn't mean that anti-Trump voters can't protest peacefully. We must stop stereotyping, stop blaming Trump, and understand that the only way for us to become united again is by changing our own behavior. No law will ever divide or unite us unless we allow it. It is up to us to put aside our difference and become the one nation we were meant to be.