I think we all know that this election has been... intense. There are those who feel very strongly about a candidate, those who hate them both, those who refuse to acknowledge what's going on, those who want to pick the "lesser of two evils" and those who want to make a change to the system itself. This election has brought about some of the worst in people. There have been literal fist-fights at rallies, name calling, online tiffs, passive aggressive posts, and a whole lot of misinformation. Overall, no matter what either candidate has said or supported, there has been so much hate in these last few weeks of the election, and I will be the first to admit that I partook in some of these negative actions.

I have not been holding back my feelings and I have definitely not been afraid to be open with my opinions and beliefs about our candidates. I have had my fair share of Facebook tiffs and mini-debates that have left my blood boiling and mind spinning. I have been offended and I am sure I have offended others. I don't believe any of this to be intentional on either side, however. I certainly do not set out each morning with the hope of colliding with someone else over political views. I have truly attempted to engage in open-minded, respectful conversations that are not aimed at changing the other's mind. Instead, I simply want to offer a different view point to think about. Unfortunately, I do not see this in other places. I personally feel that this has led to a lot of negative judgment based solely on someone's choice when voting, even though we as human beings are so much more than this.

The thing is, who we vote for does not coincide with who we are as an individual person. There have been a lot of posts going around saying that "if you voted for Trump then we can't be friends anymore because you are a racist and a misogynist." Likewise, there have been posts saying "if you vote for Killary then I want nothing to do with you and your femi-nazi friends." Where is this coming from? We are all voting for what we see as the better option. If I voted for Trump it doesn't mean I think it is okay to grab a woman by the you-know-what, but that I think he has a better plan overall for this country. Likewise, if I voted for Clinton it doesn't mean I think it is okay to kill a baby who is about to be born at 9 months gestation, but that I think she has the skills necessary to make this country a good place to live. There's a give and a take in every aspect of politics and it is our right to vote for whoever we see as the better choice. We are free in America to cast our votes however we so choose. But my vote and my choice do not define me as a human being.

I am a very caring, patient, loving, passionate, open-minded, and thoughtful person. My vote for Clinton or for Trump does not change that fact. No one's vote for either candidate is a definitive characterization of who they are as a whole. Every single person, no matter what party they identify with, is trying to work toward a better planet for themselves and those they love. Whether you agree or disagree with them does not matter because their core intentions are good. We all have a different idea of how and what exactly entails "better." Just because someone disagrees with your passionate love of Hillary Clinton does not mean they are a racist, anti-woman idiot. If someone calls you stupid for voting for Donald Trump it doesn't mean they are lying, femi-nazi baby killers. We are all moral humans who have differing beliefs, philosophies, lifestyles, feelings, experiences, and political standings. One vote doesn't define who we are. The culmination of these things makes us who we are.

This election season has been brutal. You can cut the tension in the air throughout the United States with a butter knife. People are on edge and many are angry. We are a country full of hate. So, instead of continuing the trend of hatred and misunderstanding, try to move on. Take your time to be scared and mourn, then start working toward fixing the problems you see. We need to unite as one people and work toward the good in our country. We elected an awful man (and we could have elected and awful woman) but we also elected our first Latina senator, Indian-American senator, openly LGBT+ governor, Vietnamese-American congresswoman, American-Muslim woman legislator, and so much more. We are still great, America. Be the light, be the love, and spread hope not hate.