Dishonest, deceitful, corrupt, uncertain, happy, satisfying, embarrassing, and disappointing. These are all words that have been used to describe the current election taken from supporters of both sides of the political spectrum. Although these words are very relevant, if I were asked to describe this presidential election with a word it would be ONE. One minded, one answer, one candidate, one opinion, and one party. This word ONE has limited peoples’ way of thinking to a very narrow path where all those who think similarly are welcomed and any other way of thinking is rejected, judged, harassed, and sent packing. Limiting yourself to such a narrow path solely induces harm, hate, and neglect. Both parties are subject to this narrow-minded way of thinking and I will not deny that but the fact that I would like to bring to the attention of liberal media, protesters, and many of those who align with democratic party is that the election is over because it seems many have neglected to accept such a simple ideal.

I am also in no way saying that every single person who voted for Hilary Clinton fits in this category, in fact I don’t believe it is even close to the majority, but for those who are outraged with the results of the election I accept the fact that we have freedom of speech and the right to protest, but I am curious to hear what good not accepting our next president will bring. In my eyes wanting Donald Trump to fail is wanting America to fail and I think that is something that all Americans can agree they don’t want to happen. Many of those who are outraged, disappointed, fearful etc. have been using social media as an outlet to release their ONE sided views to the world and encourage others to join them in their hatred for our recent president elect. I have seen so much hate, rejection, and generalizations about something in which we have so little control over. I know many might come back with an argument that these are some of the ideals that Donald Trump ran his campaign on, although I strongly disagree with that argument, let’s say I believe that was his sole purpose of running for president, does that make it okay for me resort back to these very beliefs of hatred and generalization? It baffles me how people can preach their core values of tolerance, love, compassion, inclusion etc. and then so easily abandon beliefs that they claimed to hold so deeply when things don’t go their way. It has almost become absurd in the eyes of many to believe that Donald Trump will succeed as our next President and if you do believe in him others are so quick to put you into a category such as a bigot, misogynist, or racist.

I refuse to believe that anywhere near the majority of the 60,375,961 people who voted for Donald Trump are racists, bigots, and misogynists. I am not afraid to admit I have bias being one of those 60,375,961, I have bias being white, I have bias being a heterosexual, I have bias growing up in a financially stable family, I have bias being a male. I HAVE BIAS. Knowing that will be the reaction from many I am just going to go ahead and put that out there. Although I may have bias, I also have common sense and morals and these ideals seem to have left the minds of many. I would like to instill in the minds of those reading this article that I am not trying to generalize all people who oppose Donald Trump, and am no way trying to say that he has 100 percent of my support but I am simply emphasizing the fact that there are many people who possess this narrow-minded way of thinking leaving our country in a standstill. It is time for America to understand that ONE way of thinking will only divide our country further. Seeking out bad attributes that may live within others has now outweighed embracing the good and to me that seems absurd. Americans have become obsessed with pointing the finger at anyone beside themselves. Using others actions as justification for retaliation, hate, and outrage is a very flawed ideal that must come to an end.

This common theme of pointing the finger has become much easier as we live in a nation rooted comfort and relevancy when forming opinions. This comfort and relevancy tailored to our beliefs is further blinded to ONE side of every argument in which the opposition has no say. I am not taking issue with either political party but simply the refusal to meet in the middle, to listen, to learn, and to love. Comfort and relevancy are the underlying themes that live within “safe spaces” in the American society. These safe spaces have limited the intellect of many and are contrary to freedom of speech. Safe spaces further promote a world in which ONE way of thinking is easily accepted and idolized, and strips the opposition of the right to an opinion. Isolating ourselves from those who hold different views or beliefs will strip us of the ability to resolve problems with those of opposition. I take no issue in promoting love, unity, and acceptance for those who feel as if they have been placed in an unsafe environment but creating the illusion that we won’t encounter challenges, disagreements, and discomfort is hindering many from what it means to live in our society.

Aside from the fact that our society has tangible safe spaces in which ONE sided thinking is promoted, we are also exposed to virtual safe spaces. When doing research on this ideal I was greatly influenced by an idea created by Eli Pariser called “filter bubbles”. “Filter bubbles” reinforce the common ideal in this article being the simple word ONE. Eli used two main websites being Google and Facebook to reinforce this ideal he has created, for relevancy I will focus on Facebook. Facebook has narrowed many peoples’ way of thinking by tailoring their experience to what is most comfortable and relevant to them. Facebook records every single link we click on and then filters future news feeds to align with things we have viewed in the past. This has limited information to ONE side of every story, and ingrains an invisible bias into the minds of many. Thus, creating a “filter bubble” in which we get to read and watch things that are tailored to who we are and what we believe in. “Filter bubbles” are rooted in relevancy and comfort, and I believe that these words have absolutely no place in forming political opinions. “Filter bubbles” have created a virtual safe space in which people get to hear and see information tailored to their beliefs, and this is no way to become educated. It is our duty to be aware that “filter bubbles” exist when forming opinions, as it is a necessity to hear the arguments of the opposition in a world where “filter bubbles” strip us of this.

Taking into account the bias that lives in our nation and the ONE sided way of thinking that lives within many of our citizens, we can focus on the fact that Donald Trump will be our next President regardless of what you may think or want. This fact has left many feeling hopeless, disappointed, fearful, and outraged, and I am truly sorry that many had to endure such awful feelings. What I would like to say to these people who have been hurt, THERE IS HOPE. Many choose to live their lives seeking out the negatives that may live within others instead of embracing the good, but why? Thinking that there is ONE answer to every problem restricts your mind to a very narrow path. Narrow minded thinking regardless of political affiliation will further divide our country. Resorting back to ideals of hate and generalization will in no way advance our country. America Spoke. America voted. Now it is time for America to accept. Time will tell, for better or for worse. It is now our duty to value others opinions, put ourselves in positions that may seem uncomfortable, advance the economy, challenge others, refuse to believe that there is ONE answer to every problem, have an open mind, love others, and pray that Donald Trump will succeed as the next President of our great Nation.