My fellow Americans, in light of what has happened this election, I hope that we can use this time wisely and work towards being a stronger nation. I hate politics with a passion but not because of what it is as a whole, but of what happened to the good old honest man. Our system's flaws grow the more we get away from our roots. What I love about America is how diverse we are and how we have the ability to thrive off our root ideas of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The problem lies in the fact that we have abused our freedoms.

People don't want to accept the fact that their opinion differs from someone else. That kind of thinking blows up out of proportion into the idea that we must eliminate anyone that gets in the way. Every single person has the right to life. This means to me that we each, as individuals, are free to choose our place in this world and what we make of it. If we are constantly fighting against each other, we sacrifice that right to life by physically killing and metaphorically killing the dreams and ideas of others. Opinions are opinions for a reason and they are a part of what makes humans so unique from one another, which is a beautiful thing. Life is proceeded by the right to liberty.

This right entitles us to live a life under our own control. The government is there for us and if we don't agree with what they are doing we have the right to change that. We are free to speak, write, protest, assemble and praise whatever we choose. American freedom becomes restricted when we put others in danger if we present opposing views in a vicious manner. So speak your mind. Put your thoughts out there. At the end of the day, just make sure you know you're representing yourself and have a duty to protect the rights of others. Last but most certainly not least, the pursuit of happiness. The pursuit of happiness is, to me, the most crucial because it brings in all the rest together.

We have the right to be happy. We have the right to do what makes us happy. I am a female college student. Education makes me happy and comforts me in knowing I'm in pursuit of a stable future for my family. That idea used to scare a lot of people but in today's world, the reality is regardless of sex, race, orientation, or any other social barrier we are beginning to break through them. To shake things up a little more, my two best friends are black and Mexican. This election affected them emotionally like it did many others. I appreciate that I have them in my life and never want them to feel unwanted here or disappointed in what we are as a nation. We are equals in my eyes and I look up to them for their courage and guidance.

Since the beginning of American history, we have been courageous and striving to be inclusive and a model for all other nations through life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where did that go? Now we are back at a time where leaders are judging someone based on things like the color of their skin or their gender. A person on this earth deserves to feel comfortable in their own skin instead of living behind the cruel and unusual punishment that is often referred to as prejudice. We cannot overlook this time and hope that four years from now everything will be tolerable of the differences in our world. In reality, we are making history in this very moment and we can choose to make the most of this time or we can choose to wallow for four years.

Now is not the time to feel sorry. Now is the time to set aside differences and prejudices to create an America that allows us to stand together; "Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." What I would like to see out of Mr. Trump's presidency is a change of heart and ego by pursuing selflessness and benevolence. To Mr. Trump, I wish you the best of luck in these four long years. May you be an honest, passionate civil servant pursuing the idea of a great nation.

To our nation, be patient, be kind, be the change. Exercise your rights. Be kind to your neighbor and know that we are all here together. We have great power and I hope we can continue to represent the idea that America was forged in the fire of adversity.