The past week in America has been one of turmoil and distress. Riots are breaking out. Hate-filled words are being spewed at one another. Relationships are ending. And perhaps the worst of it all is the overwhelming amount of sadness seen in the eyes of many.
The 2016 presidential election results came as a shock to millions. Bias in the media convinced Democrats everywhere that Hillary Rodham Clinton would become the first female president. Polls that were published reiterated this belief, but the “forgotten” group of people, the silent majority, completely stunned the country. As 2:30 a.m. rolled around on November 9, celebration began in support of the new President Elect Donald Trump.Trump did the inconceivable, the astonishing. He won.
In the days following his win, violence and hatred erupted throughout America. And may I ask, why? I understand that he may not have been your vote, your choice or your candidate, but what’s done is done. He is the President Elect. No matter how much you cry, curse, punch, kick and scream he will remain the future President of the United States.
As someone who supported him, and still does, I would like to leave you with a plea.
A plea for peace and unity, something our broken country so desperately needs.
Please stop calling me and fellow Trump supporters racist, homophobes, sexist, egotistical individuals. I promise you we aren’t. To me, you could be purple and I’ll still love you. I don’t hate any group of people; to be honest, I feel completely opposite on the matter. Many of my friends come from all different backgrounds, have different colors of skin and have different sexual orientations, but I see beyond that. The superficial stuff does not phase me and it won’t.
I beg you to stop yelling claims that Trump and his supporters will hurt you. Even Donald Trump himself has urged Americans to stop the violence that is plaguing our nation. Your violent response to his win won’t change anything and it’s not what either party wants. So please have faith in over half of America, because I guarantee you we don’t want to see anyone else get hurt.
Show some respect. Respect your future president, respect those who voted for him and respect this great country. Had Hillary Clinton won the election, many people would have been upset, but a level of respect for her would still have been shown. Those of us who did vote for Trump are not stupid, uninformed individuals. So please stop treating us as such and respect us for our decision and actions. Perhaps most importantly, respect the country that you are lucky enough to call home. People throughout the world would love to have the honor and privilege of saying they’re from America. Our country is respected internationally, so do the same. Respect the country that allows you to choose your leader, to relax comfortably in front of a flat screen TV in your recliner because millions are not quite as fortunate.
But most of all please don’t let a presidential election continue to ruin relationships. This country’s foundation is one of differences. Differences create conversation, they unite people, they test people; they shouldn’t tear individuals apart. So I voted for Trump and you voted for Clinton -- who cares? I’m still the friend who held you when you cried over a failed exam. Nothing fundamentally about me has changed. I still have love in my heart for you, so don’t write me off as a terrible human being because I voted differently than you.
So America, I urge you to open your mind and your heart. As the next few months unfold, remember that we’re all just human beings. We need to be one as we venture into the unknown. Let us all come together with open hearts and respect for one another. For if we continue on the path of destruction we’re on now, who knows how long this great nation will stand.
