The results of Tuesday's election has changed the mood of the world faster and more intensely than any election I've seen in my lifetime and most people in our country have seen in their lifetimes. In a world that revolves around social media, we are all either reacting to this change online or seeing how others react. I, myself, have not written online, but I do have some responses to those who have.
First, to those who say it is wrong to unfriend people based on their vote:
I agree, we should not let political choices and opinions decide for us who is our friend. But, this election goes beyond political differences. What many people based their voting decisions on and what the candidates stood for were not a matter of political policy. Rather, they were ideas that targeted certain groups of people in ways people of the opposing view cannot support. Not only can we not support those views, for a lot of us, we cannot stand by and let others support those views, and we do not feel comfortable staying friends with people who do.
So, no, I will not unfriend you for your vote. But, if you choose to take to social media to justify your vote and mention any support of any of the ideas which refuse to accept groups of people as people, I will not think twice about unfriending you. And I will not judge others for doing the same.
Second, to those who voted for Donald Trump and are now receiving hate:
I am truly sorry--as I said before, I don't think anyone should be blamed for the person they've voted for, and I don't think they should be targeted. Especially because, in most cases of the people who have received hate for their vote, I have not heard or seen them support the specific ideas that are so unaccepting and hateful. Though this is no justification for how people are being treated, I would just like to say that, for many people, Donald Trump is a symbol of hate because of how he fosters such dehumanizing views of certain groups. A vote for him, then, seems like condoning and encouragement of such hate. It is the responsibility of everyone, though, especially those who do not support Trump, to understand that, though Trump may symbolize hate, those who support him do not.
Moreover, we cannot divide ourselves. Division will tear our country apart faster than any president ever could.
Lastly, to those who speak the truth:
I have never been so proud of the people I call friends on social network for their ability to articulate the TRUTH better than most people actually in politics. Continue to do so. Please. Our country needs people like you.
They've gone low. Now, we must go high.
