Okay America.
It's time to wake up.
We all know what happened on Tuesday, and we all know people have had extreme reactions to this election. Some are proud, happy, and optimistic for this country. Some are devastated, scared, and frustrated that their voices were ignored.
Everyone has a right to their feelings. Everyone has a right to their opinions. Everyone has a right to be happy. Everyone has a right to be scared. Everyone has a right to be angry. Everyone has a right to be proud.
Regardless of what I feel about these outcomes, I know that the reactions I have seen are less than acceptable.
It's only been a week since Donald Trump was introduced as our President-Elect, and already we've seen increased racism, sexism, and hatred. People are fearful to go out in the street, because they may be harassed, both physically and emotionally. People are pointing fingers at friends and family. People are un-friending and disowning family.
I'm here to say stop.
I understand the differences. I understand how you're feeling. But hatred is NEVER the answer.
To those hurting: Please, be careful. Seek comfort in those who support you and are looking out for you. Let your voice be known, don't back down. Peaceful protests are perfectly acceptable. That's how women gained the right to vote and that's how we ended segregation. If someone removes you from the situation, go back. Protest. Just don't harm others in the process. Don't become violent in your protest.
I know you're angry and frustrated, but leaving nasty remarks on a Facebook comment puts you in the wrong. Remember, everyone has their reason to vote for who they did. Everyone you know has a life, family, friends. Education is key, not name calling. We learned this in kindergarten.
To those proud: Congratulations! I know you worked hard to make your voice heard, and that's what this country is founded on. I know you're frustrated with how this country is at the moment. I know you believe your candidate will validate your concerns and make America how you wish it would be.
Just remember what I said above. Hateful comments are not the answer. If you see someone grieving, help them. Understand their perspective, you might learn something. If you see someone being harassed, step in. Stop the violence. This means both in public and online. Just don't become a bully yourself.
Understand people are scared. Understand people have homes, families, friends, that are affected by the hate in this country.
Our nation is divided, and that divide has been growing larger and larger with the years. In order to unite this nation again, in order to Make America Great Again, we must unite and work together to build a country that once again provides freedom and happiness for all who live in it. America was founded by people seeking a better world where they could experience freedom in religion, opinion, and choice. These people built a constitution protecting the rights of any person with an American citizenship. It is our duty to protect those rights. It is our duty to make sure no ones rights are being violated because of someone else's opinion.
Do not let an election turn this nation into something we do not want it to be.
"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence, you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence, you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
