Devastation, hurt, incomprehension, shock - there are too many words to describe the emotional nature of a vast majority of America's population at the moment. It's been a reeling few days in the wake of an impending Trump-led America, days full of mourning and numerous questions. But out of all of the emotional stress and confusion that has come from these shocking election results, one feeling sums up the realm of this American's state of mind: immense sadness.

There's really no way to describe it because it's just heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking to see that a man, who has displayed such an outright hateful rhetoric, will now be the leader of the free world. Heartbreaking that minorities, the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and people of color have already seen an increase in hateful and violent acts against them. Heartbreaking that a man who openly supports conversion therapy (electroshock) on gay and transgender people will now be our Vice President. It's heartbreaking, women must still fight to break through a seemingly impenetrable glass ceiling.

I, like many others, have always been taught to "treat others as you would like to be treated," but a man, who has openly disrespected women and made horrible derogatory remarks asserting men to just "grab them by the p****," will now be the president of, what's supposed to be, the most inclusive nation in the world. Not to mention that there have been multiple accusations of sexual assault made against him. It's deplorable and embarrassing to think that there is a mass amount of people in this country that voted in favor of a man who represents the very definition of discrimination. A man who has not done anything of significance to reassure this nation that he is tolerant of different backgrounds.

We believed the hate and supremacy to be in the minority, and many of us now question where we went wrong. And to those of you who voted for this man, because of a single social issue or because he "wasn't her," I hope you understand the magnitude of what you've accepted: a sexist, misogynistic hate-monger. You agreed, with your vote, that many of the demographics named above do not deserve to have basic human rights. You must own up to that fact because that is what you have embraced.

This is our reality, but we must not let this outcome and this future period of leadership deter us from loving everyone and showing compassion to all. This is a time of deep need for acceptance and unity. Ignorance feeds on ignorance and we must continue to learn from each other and strive to represent a community that shows the strength of equality. Ladies, we must continue to beat against the glass ceiling and knock away at it until it cracks because it WILL crack. The day will come when the fight for equality hits that milestone as well as many others along the path. I acknowledge that Donald Trump and Mike Pence will be the new leaders of our country, but I do not accept the hateful slander that has come with their campaign.

And if you feel afraid of the rhetoric that is plaguing our country, know that you are not alone. Never feel like you are fighting this injustice by yourself. Below are hotlines listed for different aids set out to help you, whatever you may need. If your fight becomes too much, never hesitate to call.

The fight ahead of us may seem dim, but stay strong and stand for what is right. Enter into these four years with a hopeful heart and an open mind and never let the magnitude of this loss get you down. Find your voice and find your people. There's that famous saying that goes like this: "Two steps forward, one step back." This was our country's step back. Now it's time for our next two steps.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: http://www.thehotline.org

24/7 Phone: 1.800.799.SAFE (7233)

Crisis Text Line: http://www.crisistextline.org/textline/

24/7 Confidential Contact: Text "Go" to 741741