I am a woman. This does not mean that I voted for Hillary Clinton.

I am from the south. This does not mean that I voted for Donald Trump.

I identify as a feminist. This does not mean that I voted for Hillary Clinton. I voted for who I voted for because I thought he or she would be the most fitting for the job.

I am white. This does not mean that I voted for Donald Trump.

I respect people of color and all minorities. This does not mean that I voted for Hillary Clinton.

I am a Christian, and I am proud of it. My religion did not require me to vote for Donald Trump. There is no rule book saying that because I believe in Jesus Christ I had to vote for Donald Trump.

I respect the LGBT community. This does not mean that I voted for Hillary Clinton.

One's personal identity does not determine who they voted for in the 2016 election, and I am tired of people attempting to define the type of person who voted for each candidate. People should have voted for the candidate of their choosing because of their stance on politics. It is our responsibility to inform ourselves on what each candidate's main political stances are, research and figure out our own stances, and vote for the candidate whose opinions and values most align with ours.

I want to say that I did not like any of the candidates, but I did my duty as an American citizen and a woman and voted. Too many people have died for my right for me to not vote. Too many women have fought relentlessly for me to have my right to vote. I won't throw that away.

I find it strange how people are now calling Republicans racist, homophobic, misogynistic, and saying that Republican women who voted for Trump are not self-respecting. These people are usually liberals and Democrats. This amazes me. For a group of people that are supposed to be promoting unity, they sure are doing a good job of dividing America with their judgmental and false statements. It's wrong to say that "love trumps hate" without living a life that proves that you believe that way.

Furthermore, I realize that some individuals said that Obama would never be considered their president. There is now becoming an uprising of the #NotMyPresident hashtag. I understand the argument as to why people are using this hashtag, but how can we expect there to be unity and improvement if we are going to spend the next 4 years hating our country and president?

This hate is what is going to set us back x amount of years. Not our president.

I am for unity. I am for love. I am for one nation UNITED UNDER GOD. Be the change you wish to see. If you want unity and love among America, show it. Regardless of who you have voted for, respect people's political opinions. Accept that people are different than you. Accept that Trump has won the presidency. If we want our nation to improve, we have to come together and fight for our rights, regardless of who is elected in office.

We will stand stronger if we stand together than we ever could if we continue to stand apart.