It is with a heavy heart and a defeated mind that I sit here and think about what life will be like in a post-Obama world; one where our newly elected leader has openly spoken ignorantly about all groups of people, is undoubtedly the world I want no part in for the next four years.

Perhaps the most prevalent emotion, aside from anger, is hopelessness.

I have lost hope for the future.

How is it possible that a candidate who has absolutely no military/government experience could surpass a former Senator and Secretary of State to become our elected leader? My hopes and dreams for a female president have been shattered, and instead, have become replaced with the fear that comes along with electing a bigot into office. Although my frustration has translated to anger throughout most of the election, I now realize that my emotions have manifested themselves in a different way: resignation. I am feeling uninspired and unimportant in this country. No matter how hard I work, or how qualified I become, I will always come second to a man.

This presidential election was a classic example of how women and minorities will always be shoved aside to make room for the white man. I will always remain powerless in a world dominated by people who prey on those in need of help. I am trying to channel my emotions in a creative output, but I find myself at a loss for words. I am losing hope in our America and our future, and I am losing hope in the good guy. Will racism and ignorance always trump (excuse the pun) justice and equality?

I do not want to live in a country where many get denied justice just based on their identities. In fact, this country was established based on the fact that all people deserve freedom and equality. We are a nation of immigrants, yet we often turn our backs on those in need of help. I’m struggling with the duality of my emotions as I am torn between feeling everything and feeling nothing at all. I am working hard to prove others wrong and to turn this devastating moment into an opportunity for change, but it is so overwhelmingly difficult to find a silver lining. My only comfort in this time of uneasiness is that I am not alone. So many others are feeling the disappointment and frustration that I am currently experiencing, and that alone restores a minuscule amount of hope in me. I am hoping to utilize that faith, and use this as ammunition to propel my fight for justice further. However, no amount of work or positive thinking will ever change the fact that the ideals of this nation have shifted.

We must now deal with the fact that we are a country rooted in ignorance and racism, and this means that our fight is far from over. America, this is our defining moment. We either rise, or we crumble. It is up to us to institute change. So, let’s get to work.