Political polarization is a major problem in this country. There are many reasons why this polarization has come about, one of the major ones being the media. With an increase in media options we can take in (whether it's on TV or on the internet), now more than ever people can choose to consume only media that agrees with what they believe. Thus, people are continuously reinforcing their beliefs, bringing them further and further from people at the opposite end of the spectrum and less understanding of those other people. And this is prevalent with the problems we are dealing with right now in this country.

Following the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, it has been evident that there is a sharp divide in this country. Trump isn't even in office yet and people are already protesting his election and everything they believe he stands for. It is entirely understandable for the people whom Trump spent his campaign intimidating to feel in fear now that he is actually in charge. But truly what we need now more than protests and fear is a bit of understanding...on everyone's part. Trump supporters need to understand the fear that many minorities are feeling now, whether it's that their families will be sent away from them, they will lose access to important healthcare needs (birth control for women, Obamacare for others), or that their hard fought rights will be in jeopardy. But Clinton supporters need to understand that not all Trump supporters are racist, sexist and homophobic. Though they voted for someone who promoted those values, for many of them they were just voting for who they thought could do the most for them. Often the middle class is forgotten when it comes to policy and this was their opportunity to vote for someone not in the political machine who might actually make a difference.

So while it is easy to forget all that and just see the opposing party as beings completely unlike ourselves, it is important to keep in mind that we are all living in the same country, just hoping for a government that will make our lives better. Now is not the time to polarize and alienate ourselves--now is the time to come together. It is important to protest for our rights, but it is more important to do so peacefully and productively. We must focus on fighting policies that we disagree with (ones that technically Trump has not even put in place yet) and donating to causes that are important to us. It isn't the time to hide behind computers with hateful words that do nothing to benefit the future of this country. In this day and age it's the internet and the media that can bring people together, but it can also make people feel even more divided and alienated. So assuming the petition to get rid of the electoral college doesn't work, we will have to go through a Trump presidency for the next four years. And the only way we are going to do it is together and by having empathy and understanding for the people around us.