The 2016 election has been one of the biggest elections in my lifetime. It looked like no matter who won, there was going to be a major upset. The line most people used was "the lesser of two evils." It seems that people that are the most upset are the Millennials.
There have been protests all across this nation since Trump was announced President-Elect. People burning the flag, burning a paper mâché of Trump's head, attacking other people and yelling at people who do not have the same political views as them. No matter who the candidate was, people were going to be upset. However, no one was expecting this big of an outcry.
All over social media people are posting things such as, "If you voted for so-and-so then you're this," or "Unfollow me, unfriend me." Then people comment and it turns into a huge fight on social media. It seems that every time you scroll through anything, that is all you see. Politics are separating this nation.
People are allowed to say what they want and other people should also be free to say what they want, too. However, it does seem that the people who write all over Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feel that their opinions are the only ones that matter and should be heard. Just because you think that a candidate is racist, sexist or a bigot does not mean that the people who vote for the candidate are the same. People seem to make huge assumptions about other people's character just because they think you voted for a certain person. It is OK to be upset about your candidate not winning the election, but to tear someone down for their candidate winning is a problem.
This is tearing people apart because it is setting Democrats vs. Republicans not only just for the election but for life in general. Time and time again, I have seen posts saying, "If you voted for Trump then here is everything that is wrong with you," and, "Here is why we can no longer be friends." Just because someone voted for Trump does not mean that they agree with everything he has ever said. Many people will say that they just wanted anybody but Clinton or they just wanted a change. It seems like people who are saying that Trump is going to ruin America are the people who are setting themselves separate from anyone who does not fully agree with their political ideology.
Another problem that comes up is that people that voted for a third-party candidate. People are saying that those people are not doing the American thing or even helped Trump win. People should be able to vote for who they want. If a person identified with Gary Johnson more than Trump and Clinton, then is it not the American thing to vote for that candidate.
Trump supporters are also writing messages on social media about Trump winning, and most of these posts begin with "I do not usually post political messages, but...." Then don't. Do not start now. The biggest problem this election has caused is people using social media to turn each other against each other. Using social media to say your views and why you are upset is fine, but when you use social media to say that people are "so-and-so" if they voted for "so-and-so," or "Unfriend/unfollow me if you voted for 'so-and-so,'" that's a problem.
If you are upset about the election and are worried that Trump spreads hate, then stop spreading hate and try to do something. Get off of social media and do something that is not just a waste of your time.
