On Wednesday, the day after the election, a protest was held at Notre Dame in response to Donald Trump’s election. Many of my fellow Smicks (Saint Mary’s students, for those who don’t know) as well as many Notre Dame students attended this protest to show solidarity and to stand up against hatred. I wanted to attend but did not because of classes. Later that evening, I watched a live recorded video posted on the South Bend Tribune Facebook page of the protest, featuring students holding flags and signs, crying and hugging their friends in support. I was horrified when I began to read awful comments that included “whiny little rich kids,” “go back to your safe spaces pu$$i3s,” “the election won’t affect you,” and “grow up.”

Since when have grown adults felt it was okay to insult students who are peacefully protesting for what they believe in? In what way will this election not affect college students, all eighteen and up, who will soon be trying to find their way in this country in the job market?

I know people say never to read the comments on things like this because these commenters are simply trolls, but I felt that it was important to point out that these things are real and happening, and though these nasty comments have been confined to a website, even more are being said to the LGBTQ, black, Latino, and Muslim communities every day. If they weren’t being said as frequently before the election, they are being said much more frequently now.

Please do not heartlessly insult students and members of these communities who are trying to come to terms with the results of this election. If the results of this election will not have much of an effect on your life, then recognize that you have privilege and stand in support of those whose lives may be greatly affected in the next four years. If you’re a Republican, imagine how you may have felt after the 2008 and 2012 elections. This is a difficult time for many Americans, and it is important to respect their feelings of confusion and frustration.

By the same token, I am disappointed by my liberal friends who are throwing just as many insults toward conservatives as they receiving. While feelings of anger, hurt, confusion, and fear are valid, it is important that we cannot sink to the same level of hate. Michelle Obama’s saying from her speech at the Democratic National Convention, “When they go low, we go high” has never been more important than it is now. We don’t know what the next four years will hold, but it seems that it will be a great battle to ensure that the rights of every citizen are protected. So, let’s begin to heal and then fight like hell to keep the rights and privileges we enjoy in this country.