Today, November 9th, 2016, is a sad day for America. There is an ominous cloud of disappointment looming in the air. The feeling is almost tangible. With the election of Donald Trump as our 45th president, we as a country have taken a giant leap backward.

When discussing with multiple Trump supporters about their decision, it has become evident to me that they were made with selfish, narrow-minded intent. “I don’t want my taxes doubled,” “he is a good businessman, we don’t need another politician,” “I don’t trust Hillary,” were among the most common.

What baffles me is how these people don’t realize that taxes and hatred for politicians aren’t what truly matters in this election. This election was so far from typical. This was a test of character and integrity for our country and, unfortunately, we have failed. What truly matters is that the person we elect as our next president is supposed to be the face of the country. He or she is supposed to be the person our children look up to and take example from. Donald Trump is teaching Americans that bigotry is okay and that the way to get what you want is by being malicious towards others who don’t agree with you. He is proof that racism and sexism are still tolerated in this country and even supported.

I have such a hard time grasping that a majority of Americans truly share beliefs with this man or at least think that the disgusting comments he has made are not enough to make him unworthy of our presidency. To those of you who voted for Trump, I urge you to get away from your homogenous suburban bubble and try experience the world. Try to imagine how it might feel to be a minority or someone in the LGBTQ+ community in this country right now. Try to understand that not everyone was born with the same privilege as you.

I voted for Hillary because I am aware that just because I won the lottery with the color of my skin and the country I was born in, doesn’t mean that I am better than anyone else. I voted for a campaign based on love, not hatred. I voted for a more accepting country for my children. A country where misogynistic comments like “just grab her by the pussy” get you jailed, not a presidency. A country where someone who makes fun of disabled people is ridiculed, not encouraged. I voted because I honestly give a fuck about the people who make up this country, which is sadly more than Donald Trump can say.

And to those of you who claim that none of his ludicrous policies like defunding planned parenthood or getting rid of LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality will pass, we have a Republican House, Republican Senate, and he will more than likely have the ability to choose multiple new Supreme Court Members, so who is stopping him?

I will end by saying that I hope Trump will take his position in power seriously and hold himself to a higher moral standard than he has throughout the course of this election. I will not tell him that he is not my president, as my country has voted, and even though I don’t agree with the outcome, I must respect their choice. But I will not respect him as a person. Respect is earned, not given, and Mr. Trump, you have a long road ahead of you to earn my respect.