If you voted for Trump because he aligned with your values, then you value racism, sexism, and xenophobia. End of story.
This is a picture I've seen shared a lot over Facebook. It encourages everyone to be supportive to each other and to "not despair" if the person you voted for didn't win. But the truth of the matter is, this seems unfairly weighted.
When I started writing this, I was terrified for myself -- a woman and a member of the LGBTQA+ community -- and for the people whose experiences are outside of my own. I'm white in a country that has made a decision that says whiteness is everything, which gives me a large amount of privilege. I will never fully understand the experiences of immigrants or of people of color who have been personally targeted by this campaign. It is my job to not let that privilege overshadow the issues of others, which is the main takeaway from this election.
I'm angry that America has allowed itself to be a country fueled by hatred and misogyny and chose a man with no political experience over a woman who has prepared 30 years for this position.
To say "this has been hard on all of us" is to go up to someone with a broken leg, show them your papercut, and say, "we've both suffered." A vote for Trump is a vote for his hatred. By submitting your ballot with his name bubbled in, you were voting for his xenophobia. You voted for his homophobia. You voted for a man who raped multiple women and openly mocked a disabled man at one of his rallies. This was not information that came out after he won the presidency; it's information that followed him his entire campaign trail.
I will not be respectful towards the people who voted for Trump because they are not respectful towards who I am and who millions of other American citizens are. I refuse to be respectful towards a group of people who voted for a man who stands for the degradation of people different from himself.
It's difficult for me to pinpoint the emotions I'm feeling. For today, I've allowed myself to be angry. I've given myself time to mourn for the opportunities for improvement we've thrown away.
Tomorrow, I will do the work the voters of America have said is unimportant. I will be strong, as our country has shown it fears strong women. I will be kind because our country is now using its fear to guide it.
There are people so blinded by their own privilege that they can afford not to listen to the voices of the people Trump stands against saying that they're afraid. I will listen and learn where I can. Our kindness needs to be stronger than their hate. There's no moving forward if no one chooses to understand.
Even if Hillary lost the election, we still need to do all we can for a better country for everyone, not just Trump's target group. We are still stronger together.
