It is widely known that the presidential election of 2016 has caused a great division in the United States. The difference in opinions throughout this country has caused a wave a ridicule and labeling that should not be tolerated in any circumstance. As a young woman in the United States, I am satisfied with the turnout of the presidential election and that, in no way, makes me racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or against Muslims and immigrants.
To call someone a “dumb racist” or a “close-minded bigot” simply because their viewpoint differs from yours proves that you are what is wrong with this country. After the election, the people of the United States should have united together and understood that although some may not like our new president elect, he will be our president and he will be in office for the next four years. Regardless of what party you voted for, there is no reason to talk down to people because of their political views.
I personally have been belittled for having an opinion on this election since I am too young to vote, but only by those people with opposing viewpoints. Throughout this election, I have expressed that I felt Hillary Clinton was unfit to be our president, and I was ridiculed for expressing my opinion. People are very quick to assume that if you are in support of Donald Trump and his presidency that you hands down agree with every statement he has ever made, and every concept he stands firm on. I have expressed multiple times that I DO NOT agree with everything Donald Trump says, or claims he is going to do, but I do understand that he will be our president and that in order for him to succeed he needs the support of his people.
If you make someone feel as though they are wrong for voting for Donald Trump, you are the problem in the situation. I understand that people are upset, and that is okay. It is okay that people are scared of what a Donald Trump presidency holds for our future, but it IS NOT okay that people are being ridiculed simply because they voted for him. To make someone feel worthless for exercising their privilege to vote because they voted against your candidate is wrong. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and their own vote. It is so tiring seeing the horrible names people are being called just because of who they voted for in the most recent election.
The people in this country should not be viewed as the candidate they voted for, but as the person that they are underneath their political beliefs. I am a not racist, misogynistic, homophobic or against Muslims and immigrants, but according to some people, my political views make me that way. People who know me for me know that I am in no way any of those things, but people who only know me for my political views refuse to see anything underneath that. The labels that are being thrown around so freely hurt, especially when I know for a fact that I do not identify with any of them.
Simply because the election did not go the way you wished, there is no reason to speak down to people whose vote opposed yours. I am sure they had their reasons for voting the way they did. Trying to shove your opinion down their throat and brand your labels on them will not change their vote, or the turnout of the election.
