Over the past two weeks, watching our country break under the pressure of politics has caused my heart to ache. Our partially divided country has completely split due to recent events and, now more than ever, we need to stand together and rise up as Americans.

Before I go further, I feel it necessary to share with you that I am a white, straight, female, middle-class millennial whose voter registration card is marked with 'no party affiliation.'

However, I can't say I was excited about either candidate.

Yes, I am a woman, and I believe that a woman president would be amazing for our country. I don't think that Hillary Clinton was the right woman for the job.

Yes, I am white, and I believe in the 2nd Amendment and appreciated that the NRA funded a large portion of his campaign. I also don't think Trump handled himself properly and respectfully throughout the entirety of his campaign.

These days, being a woman means I must defend the actions of every woman for every choice she makes, regardless of the consequences or my own personal beliefs. If I don't, I'm labeled anti-feminist. Being white means I'm automatically associated with racism and hatred for those who come from different backgrounds.

My heart aches for the wives of brave soldiers, as an unexpected knock comes from the opposite side of their door and they are given heartfelt apologies and a folded flag. For them to then see the American flag that holds such an important meaning to them and their families being burned being excused with "it's just a flag."

My heart hurts for Muslim women across the United States who have spoken with their families about folding their hijabs and putting them into drawers instead of dressing with them, too afraid of what will happen if they exercise their freedom of religion.

My heart twists for the countless business owners and innocent bystanders who have lost their livelihood in violent and ill-willed riots. I understand that many are upset, scared, and outraged that Trump is our President-elect, but burning buildings and breaking car windows is not the criminality you want your "protests" to be tainted with. That doesn't allow the media to discuss your cause, only the destruction and havoc you have created, which doesn't allow your message to be seen in a positive light.

My heart cries for the children who have come home crying, telling their parents that they can't go back to school because the other kids are telling them to "pack their bags" because "the Trump train" is coming to take them away. No child should fear their home, nor should they have nightmares over their mothers and fathers being carried away in the dead of night by immigration officers.

My heart pains for the soldiers and veterans who hear those who claim that they are "moving to Canada" because their party wasn't successful in being elected. The soldiers and veterans who left their homes, families, pets, and laid their life on the line to defend our constitutional rights, are having all they gave up thrown back in their faces, as if American citizens don't have respect for the country or what it means to participate in a democracy.

My heart aggrieves for those whose names are written, waiting patiently in line for years upon years to become a citizen and live in the land of the free and home of the brave, as they listen to celebrities say they are leaving our country for another, too privileged to really understand just how lucky they are.

My heart is confused for my LGBTQ+ friends who fear that every right they have ever fought for will be revoked under the new presidency. Love is love, no matter how it happens or who it happens with, and no one should feel like the love they have to give is somehow less. Those who are a part of the gay community shouldn't be treated differently and be held to different standards because they haven't conformed to "straight ways." They should not have to constantly look over their shoulder because they're afraid of the perpetual hatred of those who are too ignorant to understand.

My heart crushes for the families of police officers, who constantly worry that every kiss from their spouse, parent, friend, or child will be their last. Police officers risk their lives every single day to protect our streets and patrol our communities. When they get sent on a call, they don't stop to ask dispatch whether the person who called 911 is white, black, straight, gay, Christian, or atheist. They don't pick and choose who they help, they help everyone because that is the job they signed up for. Not every cop is clean, though that is only a small percentage compared to those who wear their badge for the right reasons and with pride.

My heart is marred for the black community who feel that under Trump's reign, America is going to become a "white" country again. We are the country we are because of our diversity -- it is what makes us all Americans. No one should feel inferior to someone else because of their culture, something that we should all be proud to share.

So, I am white, but I don't see color.

I am a woman, but I don't think the road to gender equality has hit a dead end.

I am straight, but I believe that love is love and all love is equal.

I am Independent, but that doesn't mean not choosing a side makes me sexist, racist, or homophobic.

I am in the middle-class bracket, but I don't look down on those who struggle nor do I idolize those who have never struggled.

I am a millennial, but I respect our country.

I am an American, and my heart aches for our country and the turmoil we find ourselves in.

We all fit into stereotypes regardless of who we are as people. I am many of the stereotypes that people say is "what is wrong with America," even though I stand for everything that makes us the greatest country in the world; namely the rights us Americans possess and the ability to express ourselves and be protected under the Constitution

Sincerely,

a White, Straight, Female, Middle-Class Millennial