The 2016 Presidential Election is officially over. Not that you wouldn't have already known because the entire world knows. Our newspapers, social media platforms and television media have put the United States Presidential Election in the limelight, and rightfully so.
Donald Trump, once inaugurated, will officially be President of the United States.
Frankly, I don't mind if you've supported Mr. Trump since day one of his campaign, or if you cried for days when he was elected our President. How you voted isn't relevant to me, whether it was for a third party or if you wrote in your vote. In my eyes, what's done is done, and this election is over.
In all honesty, what matters now is how we move forward in the aftermath of this election — how we unify. Our country is in trouble and pointing fingers at one another, putting one another at fault for having different political views, is not going to help us move forward as a nation.
We cannot label one another simply as red or blue. You are not just a "lefty," or just a "righty." You're not just another person who "wasted their vote" on a third party, just as you're not a "hippy green party."
You cannot be generalized or categorized as your political affiliate because what you are is an American with concern for this great country. What you are is a citizen of a country where you're allowed to be as conservative or liberal as you'd like. You're allowed to "waste your vote" on a third party, because hell, it may have been a better choice for you and wouldn't weigh down your conscience. And, of course, you can support the Green Party because that may be your cup of tea.
But, remember that just as you have the right to be the most liberal, others have the right to be extremely conservative. Just as you have the right to promote environmentalism, others have the right to believe climate change is a hoax. Just because that guy on your Facebook page is undeniably an obnoxious republican and you are a die-hard democrat, doesn't deem you political enemies.
President Barack Obama spoke publicly in the White House Rose Garden the Wednesday after the election, very inspirationally, in my opinion.
"We’re not Democrats first, we’re not Republicans first — we’re Americans first, we’re patriots first. We are all on the same team," emphasized President Obama.
We are not sworn to be hateful toward one another just because our views don't line up. In times like this, we have to remember that the United States is "One Nation Under God."
We are all brothers, sisters, neighbors and friends. We are Americans, and we should move forward as one despite our differences.
Obama finished his speech with confidence, making it clear that we should stand together and move forward as a nation.
"The point, though, is that we all go forward with a presumption of good faith in our fellow citizens. Because that presumption of good faith is essential to a vibrant and functioning democracy. That's how this country has moved forward for 240 years. It's how we've pushed boundaries and promoted freedom around the world. That's how we've expanded the rights of our founding to reach all of our citizens. It's how we have come this far. And that's why I'm confident that this incredible journey we're on, as Americans, will go on."
