For the first time in my life I truly feel like I no longer have the option to avoid politics. It's something I have always disliked. I hate arguing with people and I hate people arguing with other people. It makes me nervous and it feels unnatural to me. I hate to watch other people dismiss and look down on other people so very quickly on the mere basis of their political beliefs. I never want to look down upon or be looked down upon. But here I am suddenly unable to avoid the political controversy, hatred, and debates for quite a few reasons. First off, I turned 18 this year. I can vote. That one is kind of a biggy. As a voter I no longer have the option to avoid politics and the issues at hand. It is up to me and the rest of the country to soak up as much information as possible and to educate ourselves before we vote. Luckily, this year I have had the opportunity to take an extremely rigorous and informational AP government and politics class. With this class I have been fortunate enough to hear from republican strategist, Roy Fletcher, to interview five of the congressional candidates along with the peers in my class, to learn in depth about civil rights, the constitution and the different ways in which it is interpreted, state and national levels of government, and an analysis of the presidential election from an unbiased point of view. I feel more educated and involved than ever before. And it seems like a lot people, whether its their first time being introduced into their political world or not, feel the same way. This election has meant something to everyone in America. People are speaking out and getting involved more than ever. "This one really matters" everyone seemed to be saying. People on both ends of the spectrum were mortified, even terrified, for one of these candidates to take office. America voiced its many different opinions proclaiming "Dump Trump! " and "Make America Great Again!" from the mountain tops. It is all very scary and beautiful. But as a first time voter, it all seemed a bit more scary than beautiful to me. Unfortunately for me (and for all the first time voters out there) our first votes were more than likely given to someone who we did not feel was completely worthy of our vote or of a position of leadership in America. This election was messy to say the least and I am convinced rioting would have taken place no matter what the outcome was. Certainly, much of America felt afraid and confused by all that took place during the course of the tumultuous election. But as a first time voter I refuse to become pessimistic about the situation. I may not know much, but I do know that hope and love and life and the good will prevail in the end even when things seem dark and trying. I am only 18; I have barley even scratched the surface of my political thought and opinion, but I do know that I want hope and all of these other things to always be a part of my thought process, political or not. Most certainly I would have been grateful to have been handed other options and the pleasure to cast my ballet a bit more confidently, but this is where our country stands apparently. We hold a complicated status it seems. All of it still makes my head a little dizzy and my heart a little overwhelmed. I will tell you that to even write this article makes me slightly apprehensive. But fear not Katie! Fear not America! We have all been through a lot together and it is time we take what we have learned and make good of it! This may have been one of the most hateful, cringe-worthy, nail-biting elections of all times, but my hope is that progress, unity, and love will be brought forth from it all. Let us continue to show each other mercy and kindness in the face of all the political turmoil and uprising. After my first time voting that is all I can think to do.