This year's presidential election has proven to be one of the most uncomfortable and unpopular of all time. Riots and protests that have arisen from various movements over the past few years have only amplified this controversial result. Citizens are on edge; many simply waiting for another reason to rise against the government and immediately run into the streets to practice their rights of freedom of expression.

Yes, those are your rights. You can express your dissatisfaction with him, you can protest, you can demand a recount, you can declare "he's not my president" all day long, and you are perfectly within your rights to do so. But he is your president. Whether or not we want to face that fact, we must do so sooner or later. Donald Trump will be leading our country for the next four years. So what is the point of rallying against him immediately? What's the point of leading a crowd against him? What is that going to do?

I'll admit, I didn't want him to become president. I didn't want Hillary Clinton as Commander-in-Chief either. I, along with many other Americans, have been very upset with the entire road to election day. I have wished over and over again that the options on my ballot could have differed from the names that I saw in front of me, but there is nothing that can be done at this point. Continuing the hate, disgust, and refusal of respect toward Trump is going to accomplish nothing. If anything, this behavior is going to further divide this country that so many people love so much.

Many would be happier with a different president. But we do not have a different president; the election is done and we have Donald Trump. It is our duty as citizens to respect the leader of our nation, even when we do not agree with him. It is our duty as citizens to strive toward the best for the United States. It is our duty as citizens to follow the law. I'm not saying to change what you believe; America is a melting pot for a reason, and all of the different cultures, belief systems, ideals, and people groups that represent this country need to be embraced. You don't have to morph your values or belief system to respect the results of this election. There is a way to disagree peacefully, and constitutionally.

I do not want a country divided, and I am sure that I am not alone. There will always be issues that come between certain citizens, but for the majority of the time, we are a united nation. We're called the UNITED STATES for a reason. Then why are we rioting? Why are we discriminating and torturing those that disagree with us? Why are we protesting to the point of arrests and injuries? Why are we defying the law to make a point, trying to change something that will not change? We MUST change our stubborn ways and become peaceful. We need to stop viewing those that disagree with us as the enemy. Instead of allowing this election to split us up into further separated groups, we should work on allowing this hardship to unify us, putting aside our differences, and deciding to make the best of the inevitable situation that we are in for the next four years.

Donald Trump is a wild card. No one knows what these four years are going to look like. So instead of causing more chances for violence and arrest, let's hope and pray for the unity of our nation. Let's embrace our differences, and appreciate the freedom that we have to oppose the norm. The sun came up Wednesday morning, as it did this morning, as it will tomorrow. We have had unwanted presidents before, and this will probably not be our last. But we should at least respect the American people and the Electoral College enough to give Trump a chance. Let us hope for the best, and let the worst unify us instead of tear us apart.