First off, I want to say that this article is, in fact, not going to be about politics. It is not about whether or not I agree with what is going on in our society in the days following the election, and it is not about my opinion on either candidate. I am not even going to mention either of their names.
What I want to voice is an issue that I came to realize due to the reactions from my peers. The day after the election, as I walked around campus, the demeanor displayed by the majority of students was that of mourning. Heads hung heavy, some individuals actually had tears in their eyes as they huddled together discussing the events of the previous night. I received phone calls and text messages from friends that were absolutely distraught, venting their emotions and listening to mine. There were people yelling at each other in passing because of opposing views, and I don't even want to begin talking about the nasty and hurtful words currently spreading through social media.
There was one individual in particular, though, that pushed this issue over the edge. I was sitting in my psychology class, where we were learning about relaxation and positive self-imaging. This student slowly raised her hand in the middle of the lecture. The professor called her name and she proceeded to ask him how these techniques could apply in light of everything that is happening in our society right now. Curious, the professor asked her why. Her voice cracked as she spoke, and explained that she could not find it in herself to now look at the world without hate, and hopelessness. Everyone in the room dropped their eyes to the floor. Instantly, a look of grief and empathy came across our professors face.
At this moment, it was completely clear to me that this election had taken a toll on our generation. No matter which candidate anyone voted for, no matter ones affiliated party, the emotions circulating through our communities right now are negative, belittling, and heartbreaking.
As a millennial in the face of the election, I want to reach out to everyone when I say that our presidential elections are some of the biggest events we will experience in our lives. It is a huge deal, and we live in a country that does not let us forget that. But we also, as humans beings, have the ability to speak our minds; to stand up for ourselves and for others who need it. We have the ability to grow as individuals and we have the ability to educate ourselves on the issues we face every day. This is something in which we can find reassurance. This is the thing that we have control over.
Hope is always the best possible route we can take, and in hoping for the future we must remember that no person's emotions are more authentic than those of another. I encourage everyone who is feeling sadness or scrutiny, loss or superiority, to take a step forward and realize that hate will get us nowhere. Fear will get us nowhere, and that the best way to move forward, is to simply be better individuals. Our world is so desperately in need of good people, and it is our job now more than ever to do just that.
