This week has been a dramatic week in our country, to say the least. The presidential election that took place this past Tuesday left many voters feeling very emotional after hearing the results. Some were very happy, and others were very distraught over the outcome. First, I'd like to say that this isn't an article about politics. This is an article about what I, a Republican college student, have experienced and felt during this last week.

I do identify myself as a Republican. I am a young woman who voted for Donald Trump. I don't agree with some of the things he has said, but I think he was the best choice for our country as well as many other Americans which is why he was elected. I don't discuss politics very often with the exception of my close friends and family. I don't discuss it because politics, especially this past election, is such a controversial topic that I believe should be kept private. It is clear that many are letting their opinions about this election interfere with friendships, relationships and their feelings towards others. I would NEVER judge somebody because of who they voted for or use it against them in any way. That is not right and not what America stands for. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, there is no right or wrong. While I don't agree with the things that Hillary has said and done I would never shame someone who supported her. And if she had been elected I would have been upset of course, but I wouldn't be openly disgracing the people who elected her nor this beautiful country we live in.

In the past few days, I have read countless posts on social media that are offensive to me as a Republican, as a woman, as a person and as an American. Many people have assumed that if you are a Republican you are a racist, you are a homophobe, you are a misogynist, and you are sexist. Many people have stereotyped and judged Republicans. I am a woman. I am not a homophobic. I am not against the LGBT community. I am not a racist. But many people, who do not know me, have said otherwise. I have been judged because I voted for Trump. My parents raised me with good morals and good beliefs. They have raised me to not judge others, to not discriminate against others and to respect others. I am grateful for that. My feelings towards others have nothing to do with being a Republican. My feelings toward politics and our country are what makes me a Republican. This week I have been attacked because I am a Republican and who I voted for. That's not what America is about.

I understand that for someone who doesn't support Trump it may be very difficult to accept him as your president, but he will be our next president. You may not accept him as your president, but you are Americans and this is your home. To see people disrespecting our country to the point where they are burning our flag is beyond offensive. I've seen many people complain about America and stating that they want to leave. America is a great country to live in and I don't think that anyone would find a better country to call home. You have every right to be upset and to disagree with Trump as a politician and businessman, but you don't have the right to attack other Americans based on their opinion. Trump is one man. We are millions. We have checks and balances for a reason. He isn't going to come in and change everything. America will still be the country we love if we all work together to keep it that way.

Being entitled to our opinion is one of the beautiful things about America. But it's awful to think that because someone doesn't agree with you, you would decide to trash them and our country. To everyone who is continuing to attack Trump supporters, you are judging them and you are stereotyping them. You are doing exactly what you are accusing them of doing to you. It's creating more of a divide in this country. It's time to come together as a country. I am not ignoring the divide or the differences that many face across our country in any way. But allowing this election to further divide the country will not benefit anyone. Working together with our president and others to close the gap between Americans is what will benefit everyone.

Let's not forget what comes just three days after Election Day...Veteran's Day. On this Veteran's Day, we should remember all of the men and women who fought so hard to allow us to have these opinions and live in such a magnificent country. Imagine being a soldier who has sacrificed his or her life for us and in return, waking up on Veteran's Day to a flag being burned because people don't agree with the outcome of the election. It's disgusting. Those men and women have fought hard to let that flag fly high and we should be proud of that, not disrespecting it. There are millions of men and women who continue to put their lives at risk and travel across the country or overseas to protect us. Personally, I am extremely embarrassed that they have had to witness such a dishonor to our country in these last few days. I am beyond grateful to the millions of soldiers who keep me safe and I hope they know that there are many people out there who appreciate everything they do for us.

I am proud to be an American not just today, but always. I'm proud to be a woman. I'm proud to have just voted in my first presidential election and honored that I have that privilege. I'm grateful that I live in a country that provides such amazing opportunities for me. This election and the response to the results has taught me that we all need to be reminded just how lucky we are. We're lucky to live in a country that was built on freedom and I think we all need to be reminded of that. I know I will always appreciate the millions of people who have fought and continue to fight for my freedom. I hope that during these next four years the country will come together for the better and we will all realize just how truly lucky we are to call America our home.

Thank you to every veteran and soldier who may read this. Thank you for your service to our country. You are amazing people and you should be very proud of what you have done for our country.