Tuesday evening was nothing short of shocking, and anything but easy. Supporters of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been up nose to nose during the totality of the 2016 election cycle, this being said, for both the Republicans and Democrats, middle ground seems to have been minute. While the supporters of both Trump and Clinton couldn’t be more unalike, with the election now over and done, President Trump has been announced as the 45th president and it is paramount that we stick together — Republicans, Democrats, and even the third party voters alike.
With pugnacious insults swung by Clinton and Trump at each other for months, It’s now time for the American people to take the high road and not fall into the trap of dissention. As a united nation, Americans needs to rise above the animosity these candidates may feel towards one another’s views, because at the end of it all, regardless of win or lose in the election, America will be a stronger nation if everyone can stand together. With this being said, it isn’t going to be a walk in the park, well a walk in Jurassic Park perhaps.
The supporters of Trump were obviously thrilled with the outcome of the 2016 election. Those who stood by the announced loser of the election will be sad, disheartened, and perhaps even angry and cynical. With this being said, it is extremely vital that both parties accept the results of the election —regardless if your candidate was elected President, and move towards creating a better America by keeping an open mind. For many this challenge of unity will be a tough pill to swallow, but will need to occur in order to move forward. Malicious rhetoric is easy throw at one another as anger is the first response to the people who felt were wronged, but as Clinton’s campaign says: "We’re stronger together.” And Clinton is absolutely right. This statement by Clinton during Meet the Press in May sums it up:
“Look, we are stronger together. We are stronger together in facing our internal challenges and our external ones. We are stronger together if we work to improve the economy... We are stronger together when we have a bipartisan, even nonpartisan foreign policy that protects our country. And that provides a kind of steady, strong, smart leadership that the rest of the world expects from us.”
Clinton realizes that how the world views America is imperative. Aside from that understanding, all Americans will face a better fate, and perhaps a path that can lead to a promising future, if only the people of America decide to set aside their differences, and come together.
The sentiment flooding the conversations of many during the 2016 election season is a desire to move to Canada If a certain candidate is elected. With the votes in, and President Trump being elected as President, the Canadian immigration and citizenship website has crashed, and that shall speak for itself. Celebrities have played a major role in this election cycle, from Bryan Cranston to Barbara Streisand making it clear before the election results were in, they are ready to flee the United States of America if the Republican Candidate takes over office. Jokes aside, conversations and situations such as these are deeply disturbing. Despite Trump’s arguments, I believe America is a great nation, a country many call home. There is much to be done indeed, with that being said it is more of a reason to exile to idea of abandoning this nation in hours and time of need. Fleeing to other countries whether it is an expression of frustration, or an outlet for some to build walls against fear, fleeing to another place only digs a deeper hole for America’s potential, and for America’s problems.
Despite the outcome of Tuesday night’s Presidential Election, it will take heroic efforts by every American to make the United States of America a place where everyone can unite, and live in some form of harmony. Democrats and Republicans have become downright ugly, but with the election over, there is a president we all have to live with for at least for years.
So for all the Americans glued to their TV screens zoning in on the CNN coverage of the post election euphoria or dysphoria, if you are taking a ride on an emotional roller coaster over the loss of your desired candidate, face reality and take the high road. Americans should be one another’s allies, not adversaries. We are the “United” States of America, after all.