This past Friday, January 20th, we, as the citizens of the United States of America, welcomed (some of us not-so-nicely) Donald Trump as he swore in to being the 45th President of the United States.
A lot of Americans are taking this event very heavily. They don't agree with Trumps stance on many issues that a President must take on, and this is one hundred percent okay and understandable. Because we, the people of the land of the free, are entitled to our own opinion. We are entitled an opportunity to speak our minds, to fight for what we want, to create a change in this world.
My advice to those individuals: it's okay. Be angry. Speak up about it. Use your voice and make sure that you're heard. But do so in a manner that is appropriate and kind to others.
On the other hand, a lot of Americans are hopeful for the next four years. They're looking forward to the changes that Mr. Donald Trump will make, and how they will effect our world as we currently know it. They are hopeful for a four years of presidency brought on by a man who will be honest with his fellow citizens.
While not everyone may agree with the guy, he is our elected President. And he will be our President for the next four years, whether riots happen in the street everyday because of it or not. Protesting and arguing one another will not change that. If anything, these outbursts are only adding to the problem we are facing in this world. You simply can't change what has become our reality; all you can do is work with it.
As an entire community, we have lost hope and stopped loving. We no longer wish the best on our neighbors, instead we envy them. We no longer work hard for what we want, we give up because it's too hard. We hate on the race that lives on the other side of town because they aren't like us. We don't allow LGBT members into our restaurants because we hold a hatred inside our hearts for those who have found peace inside themselves a different way than we do.
We no longer trust that a man who is now in office will do his job to protect us as Americans and our right. Is this the America we want to live in? Where we are fueled daily by hatred?
It is okay to be angry with this election. It is okay to be supportive of the new President. And it is okay to realize that this is happening and be hopeful for the future.
As Barack Obama recently tweeted, "I'm still asking you to believe - not in my ability to bring about change, but in yours. I believe in change because I believe in you."
To me, that sounds like an optimistic citizen and past President who is rooting for this world and its inhabitants.
Whether you are a Trump supporter or not, what is done is done and a riot or protest can not change it. Stop fighting your people for having beliefs. Have faith that what needs to be done in this country will be done, whether that be by Donald Trump or not. Have faith in our government, who will overlook every decision Donald Trump makes. Have faith in yourselves.
This is 2017. This is a new era, and we are ready for it.
