In the aftermath of this year's election, it is safe to say a lot of people are scared. I'm scared, my friends are scared, and millions of others are scared. Many people are arguing that we have no right to be afraid-that we should "suck it up" and deal with everything going on. I've seen a lot in the past few days, and these are just some examples of why our fears are genuine.
1. "Love" being used sarcastically, of course.
2. Aside from the fact America was never "white" to begin with, it's just terrifying that people think this is okay.
3. People are starting to hate anyone who doesn't "look" American, and it's disgusting.
4. The election has made people think sexual assault is excusable.
5. Members of the LGBT+ community are already being attacked. Making people afraid to be themselves is not something I look for in a president.
6. Another example of discrimination, so soon after the election results. This should scare everyone, regardless of where you're from.
7. Why can't more people understand how wrong this is?
8. People are so afraid of Trump they think taking their lives is the only way to protect themselves. I don't know about you, but I think a president who causes that much fear should never be in office.
9. The amount of people who feel this way right now is sickening. I'm just so sad for our country.
10. I've seen plenty of people laughing at others' fears. We are not being ridiculous, we have genuine reasons to be scared, and everyone needs to respect that and do something to fix it.
11. This country has made so much progress, and this election is taking some of it away. People are afraid to be themselves, and that's not what I want for America.
12. The KKK-a group known for advocating hate, white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration- is happy about our presidential election. What does that tell us?
13. Do you really want to respect a man who makes fun of disabled people? Who makes children afraid they too will be mocked by others?
14. We've come so far in this country. But Trump is reverting us back to his version of the "good old days" so quickly, I'm not sure that progress will continue.
15. I always wondered how people even let someone like Hitler come to power. Now I understand.
16. We aren't being "crybabies", as so many people seem to think. We are scared, and we have good reason for it. I only wish everyone understood so well.
17. Being gay is not something that can be changed. It's disgusting that someone who even believes this nonsense is being put into office.
18. Once upon a time, people came to America for Freedom of Religion. Now people are afraid to follow their beliefs.
19. This number has never been busy. People are so terrified that this is what they're resorting to, and now they can't even get that help. I'm so sad.
20. The whole "moving to Canada" thing started out as a joke. Now people are seriously fearing for their lives and need to leave the country.
21. No one should ever have to think this way, especially due to the results of a presidential election.
22. Again, Trump won't make rape legal. But many of his supporters already think it will be okay to just do whatever they want. In their eyes, women no longer have rights.
23. This is what scares me the most. Not that Trump believes in everything he says, but the fact so many Americans legitimately voted for him. It's given me a new perspecive on this country, and not one I ever wanted to have.
24. People used to come here for freedom. Now it's unsafe to do the simplest things, or to just be yourself. Why did we let things come to this?
25. As a woman, I'm genuinely afraid for what this means. Why is it suddenly perfectly okay to just treat women like they're worthless?
26. We took years to make progress, and in a matter of months just took it away. This is the worst downgrade I could have possibly imagined for this country.
There are so many more stories of things like this happening all around the country. (Over 200 incidents have been reported, and that number grows by the second). Even if Trump doesn't manage to accomplish anything he has promised his supporters, he has already done so much bad by bringing this hate to light. He's making us take a few steps back as a country and that just isn't right. We have the right to be scared for our future, and we should be.
During a time when so many people are afraid, it is important that we stand together. We need to do our best to promote equality, kindness, love and safety for those currently afraid. In the end, Love will trump hate.
