I was originally planning on a much lighter tone for this week's article. Tuesday marked my first experience participating in the voting process, and I figured I would write a cheery piece filled with double entendre about my first time. That changed on Tuesday night.

Like many, I was very disappointed with the results of this year's election. (Like many more, I was disappointed with the choices we were left with just leading up to the election, but the time for that has come and gone.) I could talk about how none of us at the viewing party I attended were prepared for how increasingly stressful the evening became. I could talk about how I felt physically ill for most of the next day. However, I think Dave Chapelle summed it up best in his opening monolog for SNL this week:

"America's done it, we've actually elected an internet troll as our president."

This is the issue I want to stress. I, like many others, am not disappointed that a Republican won. I am disappointed that Trump won.

I come from the privileged position of being a straight, white, middle-class male, so even as I'm writing this, my fear and disappointment are already waning. I will be just fine. But others may not.

It has already been said, but right now we need to be united as a nation. I implore those who are happy for Trump's victory to try and understand where others are coming from. Their fear is not unfounded. And those lamenting his victory, do not get angry with his supporters. When someone says that the roles would be exactly reversed if Hilary had won, educate them. Start a dialogue.

You cannot fight hatred with hatred.

The road ahead will be tumultuous, to say the least. It will be a difficult transition for the next several months, if not the next several years, but now more than ever we must be tolerant of one another. As Americans, we should be proud to have a nation of such differing backgrounds.

So think before you fight. Try to understand where others are coming from before projecting your own viewpoints onto them. They may be wrong. You may be wrong. Empathy and tolerance will lead the path to progress.