The 2016 Presidential Election will probably go down as a marker of change in the United States government. Campaigns can get nasty, and both candidates went as low as they could go to attack the other side. It was brutal, not only on the two candidates, but on citizens and Facebook users everywhere. Everyone seemed to have a pretty strong opinion on this one, and with good reason. I listened and I observed and along the way I learned a few things:
1. Racism still exists.
Before the election, I thought racism had mostly died away. I knew that prejudice existed, mostly bred from ignorance and faulty rearing, but I had never experienced real racism besides the obscenities in movies and documentaries. I thought the KKK had been disbanded since higher education had become more prevalent. I was wrong.
2. Reverse racism exists, too.
I've personally observed many instances of racism being directed at myself as I voiced my political views and reluctant support for Donald Trump. I never once said, "build that wall," or told anyone they should go back where they came from because that doesn't make any sense. However, I was mocked and told I was the problem. I've seen posts from other races warning white people that "they better watch out." I've seen BLM protestors pull white people from their car and beat them up just because of the color of their skin.
3. Evil exists, and it is more prevalent than ever.
I am afraid. Not because of the results of the presidential election. Whoever the president of this nation is, he is not my king. I am not even afraid for myself, but for my brothers and sisters in Christ who have let hatred, even on the smallest scale, seep into their hearts because of the bitterness caused by this election. Even before the election, the culture in our once great nation has made this place hospitable for hate, senseless violence, and murder. The election has only coaxed it out of the depths of their souls.
4. Where there are problems, there is God.
The solution to all these problems in our nation -- in our world-- is clear to me. We must love one another like our God commands us. We must turn to each other and show each other the same things we pray for everyday: grace and mercy. We must forgive our neighbor and love one another in the same way God loves us. Prayer is powerful. We must pray, for ourselves, for our neighbor, for our country. For in Him, we may find the solutions to all problems.
