The election itself is finally over, but the constant social media posts blasting each side are, unfortunately, not. An important thing to note about these posts is that no matter how much complaining one does, the results of the election will not change.

However, there has been one type of post on social media that I believe should be addressed. This is the post that keeps telling people that even though Donald Trump is our President-elect, there is nothing to be afraid of. These posts aim to tell others that the fear they are feeling is irrelevant. I've seen probably a million of these posts since Tuesday's election, but I still can't understand how people don't have a problem telling others not to fear something that is a living nightmare for some people.

The problem with telling people they shouldn't be afraid is a problem because of why they're saying it. These posts claim that the people who are afraid—the LGBT community, Mexicans, Muslims, women, etc.have no reason to be afraid. I'm not sure if I listened to a completely different person as they did, but I believe they do have a reason. The President-elect has literally said things that attacked certain groups of people. Things like "build a wall," and "deport millions," or a proposed "ban on Muslims," and many other things, are the reason these people are afraid. Don't you think that if someone had something hateful like this to the group you belong to, you would be a little worried as well?

These people are afraid because the President-elect's words and actions have given them reasons to be. While it might not seem like a legitimate threat to you, it is to them. After an election as controversial as this one people are bound to feel all sorts of emotions, and they're allowed to feel these emotions! Just as complaining about election results will not change them, telling people to not be afraid will not take away their fear or the fact that they have reason to fear. To say that their fear is misguided is wrong.

Instead of telling these people they have nothing to fear, we should be more empathetic. You may not agree with the way they feel, but as human beings, they are allowed to feel that way. I'm not asking you to change the way you feel, all I'm asking is that you take the time to feel a bit of empathy for those who are scared. Imagine if you were in their shoes. You may or may not feel the same way. Regardless of who you supported this election, I think we can all agree that unity is needed at this time. Telling people to not be afraid will not unify us as a nation. Feeling empathy and respecting their feelings is a start. So please think how you might feel if you were in their shoes the next time you begin to type the words "there is no reason to be afraid."