Dear Angered American Citizen,

First of all, I don’t blame you for being angry. I, too, do not believe Trump is the most qualified president and I would not have voted for him if I was legally able to vote. I do not like how he will portray America’s values on an international scale and, as a young female, I am anxious and concerned about the impact that his presidency will have on my future. His xenophobic, sexist, racist and homophobic comments are worrisome and it saddens me that America chose this man to lead us – arguably the most powerful country in the world – for the next four years. I do not condone or support this hate.

But neither can I condone nor support much of the hate that I have seen displayed over the last week since the election results were announced.

I know it’s frustrating that Trump lost the popular vote yet still won the election. I know it’s annoying that one party controls two out of three of the branches (and likely will control the third by the end of the term). I know it’s maddening that the voting age is 18, not allowing many young people who will become legal adults throughout Trump’s term to have a say in their president. But that’s how America works and it’s not going to change just because this particular candidate is particularly nasty.

Everyone expressed concern about Trump’s supporters’ reactions if/when Hillary Clinton won the election. Fears of shootings, riots, and general violence were harbored (and were probably not unreasonable). But, now that Hillary has not won, who is it that is rioting? Flipping cars? Inducing violence? And even on the minor scale, who is it ending decade-long friendships and relationships over support for Trump? Publically shaming people for voting for their choice of candidate, regardless of the reasoning behind it? Not everyone who voted for Trump is a racist and not everyone who voted for Trump even liked him. Yet who bothers to ask? No one. Posts on social media angrily requesting Trump supporters to "unadd" them, block them and never speak to them again are a dime a dozen and they are not viewed as extreme; the word Republican, in many areas of the country, has become a hate word.

Where is the democracy in that? For a party who preaches acceptance (racially, sexually, in gender), many of these radical Liberals have been extremely unaccepting of anyone who might have voted differently than them.

And it is reasonable that America be angry that the candidate embodying hate won the election. But never, in the history of the world, has a problem with hate been solved by displaying more hate. While fighting for civil rights, Martin Luther King called only for a loving response. Gandhi called only for a loving response. And ultimately, their goals were reached without excessive damages.

Flipping cars and burning flags is unreasonable and unnecessary. Your protests do not look more serious because something is on fire or because someone needs to visit the hospital. You are not gaining more attention for your message by cutting off anyone who might think differently than you. You are not going to gain support if you are approaching your message like an angry child who has not gotten their way. Most of these examples come from younger adults and how do you expect to be taken seriously and respected by older generations if your responses are immature? I’m mad that my president is a racist; let’s damage other people’s property and cut off people who love me!

You are more than entitled to your opinion and I am very encouraged that you are willing to speak your mind. That is the right way to get things done! The trending hashtag #notmypresident has sent a very loud, clear message. The campaign for the Electoral College to have some swing votes has sent a very loud, clear message. The general anger at the results has sent a very loud, clear message. Nobody needs to physically damage any property. Nobody needs to hurt people.

Show your anger in your own ways. Love everyone and lead by example. If you do not want to say the Pledge of Allegiance, don’t. (Side note: do not shame someone because they are saying it, that is their choice and their right just as it is yours to not say it). Don’t spread hate and, if you feel it necessary, continue posting your beliefs on social media.

Want to have your voice heard? Write to your Congressperson – even if they identify as a Republican – and beg them to consider their constituents when considering a bill that may possibly hurt minorities’ rights. Petition Congress to pass an Amendment on the abolition of the Electoral College (an issue that can be inherently un-democratic, as this election and that of 2000 highlighted). And, in the next Congressional election (which is in two years, not far off), if you are displeased with the results, vote out your constituents and vote in somebody new.

Want a quick and easy way to have your words – as logical and as noble as they may sound – discounted and thrown out as an immature rant? Start causing physical damage or cutting off people that you love in the name of politics. At worst, Trump’s presidency can last eight years. Any damage that may come out of this election may last much, much longer.

Please, be angry. You deserve to be. We all are angry, sad and disappointed. But be respectful. Honor other people and remember that hate never beat hate. The only thing to ever beat hate is pure love, no matter how impossible that may seem.

Best of wishes.