Clearly, the entire country has been dealing with a variety of emotions over the past week. Some people are happy, some are angry, and others are flat out confused. I don’t think I have ever seen my country, my school, and my own friends so divided on an issue. Everyone has something to say about the election and each side believes their opinion is the right one. While I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion (hello, I voice mine on Odyssey every week), there is something to be said for someone who can defend their opinion, rather than simply attacking anyone who disagrees with them. I am sick of the social media banter, but I am more than willing to listen to anyone who can back up what they believe.

A majority of the country is disagreeing, but one thing both sides can agree on is the fact that they are both begging to be heard. So, this week, I decided to interview someone who voted for Donald Trump and someone who voted for Hillary Clinton. I asked each interviewee the same questions and I wanted to discover whether there were any similarities between the two. Out of respect for each person interviewed, names will not be included. My question will be listed first, then “TS” will stand for Trump supporter, and “CS” will stand for Clinton supporter.

1. Why did you vote for Donald Trump/Hillary Clinton?

TS: I voted for Donald Trump because I absolutely and completely hate Hillary Clinton. I believe that Trump represents palpable change and security for our country and I didn’t think Clinton would bring any of that.

CS: I voted for Hillary not only because I agree with her political views on many topics that are important to me, but also because I admire her as a politician. She has had an amazingly successful career, and she thus has become one of the most qualified presidential candidates of all time. She seemed, to me at least, the obvious choice for this election.

2. What was your biggest concern regarding Donald Trump/Hillary Clinton?

TS: She has no sense of integrity or concern for our country. She is concerned about her own special interests. I firmly believe she was in this to win, not for our country or what is best for us. She has compromised the national safety of our country. She has lied countless times. She claims to support women, yet has defended rapists and laughed about getting them off the hook. She does not support women, and she staid in a marriage after her husband cheated on her countless times to support her political agenda. She left Americans in Benghazi to die. She had no plans to protect us from radical Islamic terrorists and won’t even acknowledge what they are. In fact, she wants to increase the taking in of refugees by 500% and wants to make it easier for illegal immigrants to live in our country. I could go on for days, but I think for me it came down to the fact that I could never feel safe or confident in the direction of our country with her at the helm.

CS: Although he is a wildly successful businessman, he doesn’t have any political background. I would be weary to elect a commander in chief of one of the most powerful countries in the world who doesn’t have any political experience, such as serving as a senator, congressman, or governor. Also, he has made racist, homophobic, and sexist statements throughout his campaign, which I do not support or excuse in any way.

3. What is one word you would use to describe this election?

TS:Divisive. The extremes of the two parties are the worst they have ever been. Neither can see from the other point of view and all are offended by anyone who disagrees with them, especially the left. It’s to the point that it is dehumanizing. They also fail to understand that because you vote one way or the other that you may not believe and/or support every issue the candidate stands for. Our country has zero unification and I fear what will come from that.

CS:Divided. Most of the people I talked to throughout the campaign and the election explained they were voting for Trump because of how much they hated Clinton, or vice versa. There was a lot of animosity and judgement towards the opposing party on either side, creating a strict divide between Trump supporters and Clinton supporters.

4. What do the people of our country need to be doing right now?

TS: Taking a step back, no matter what your viewpoints are, and educating themselves on Trump’s policies and becoming familiar with his goals for this country. Certainly not protesting and making fools of themselves. The reality is he is our President Elect and there isn’t anything that is going to change that. Let’s do our best to unify and stand behind him because if he goes down, the whole country goes down with him.

CS: Right now, it is important for our country to accept the results of the election, and respect the other side. It is important we do not sustain this divide or dig it deeper. No matter who you supported, it’s time to set the differences aside and work together to come out of this a stronger nation. We are all in this together.

5. What is one thing you are hoping President Elect Trump will accomplish while in office?

TS: Protect our country from foreign terrorists.

CS: I am hoping he realizes that building a wall and deporting millions of people is not a realistic goal to fix the immigration problems in the US. I hope he finds a way to change immigration policies to make it easier for people to become a US citizen, rather than making it harder for them to come into the country in the first place. America is the land of opportunity and I believe everyone should have a chance to take advantage of all America has to offer, but legally, of course.

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Clearly, even those who support different candidates can agree on a few things. First, this was one of the most divided elections our country has ever seen. But also, each interviewee has similar ideas on what we need to be doing right now.

Ultimately, America has spoken. Whether you agree with this decision or not, the deed is done, and we can't do anything to change the results of this election. What we can do though, is learn. Regardless of your views, I challenge you to sit down with someone from the opposing side and see if you can learn anything from them. Listen, keep an open mind, and prepare to move forward.