On the evening of November 8th, the world was shaken when Donald Trump came out victorious in the 2016 election. Like many of my peers, I was overwhelmed with anger and pessimistic about the well-being of not only the United States but the entire world. Even more so, as a female I feared for my rights that women have fought so long and hard for. I was furious and almost offended by those who placed their faith in a leader who would take such rights away from me. When I woke the next morning I could literally feel the world had changed. We had entered new era of Trump America, a nightmare that would last for 4 years.

I logged onto social media to find hundreds of posts expressing fear and frusturation with the American people for electing a "monster" into one of the most powerful positions in the world. America is on the brink of monumental social change and we as a nation have chosen to take a thousand steps in the wrong direction.

If you feel the way that most people I know feel, my words above probably have resonated with you strongly. However, what we need to think about is what will happen next. Unfortunately, we cannot go back in time. Votes can't be changed and campaign strategies cannot be altered. The fact of the matter is that Donald Trump will hold the office he was elected to for the next four years.

While we cannot change that fact, we can make the best of this irreversible defeat. What we can do is not preach the same hate that we are against. What we can do is get behind him, in hopes that he will make decisions that are in the best interest of the people. What we can do is have faith in democracy. I am aware that this is an extremely difficult endeavor as Donald Trump has emanated atrocious attitudes towards women, Muslims, Mexicans, and other minority groups, but we must move forward. Our country will be in even worse off if we do not unite to find feasible solutions to the load of problems we face.

If you are outraged, feel like your political efficacy is at an all time low, and you are afraid of the consequences of America's choice, now is your time to act. Get involved in the government to make the changes you want to see. Despite Donald Trump's victory, we live in a democracy, one in which our voices are heard. Advocate and speak your mind. This does not mean make a Facebook status or a post a political meme on Instagram. It means write letters to politicians, go to meetings, join informal interest groups and most importantly, educate yourself. Let your anger empower you instead of immobilize you.

Like Michele Obama said in her speech, "When they go low, we go high."