This presidential race has truly been a freak show in the making. It’s actually been depressing me a lot lately. Yes, I am a white, “privileged” female. I should have nothing to worry about, right? Quite the opposite! I am a bisexual woman who is an avid LGBTQ+ supporter. I hope to marry my fiancée someday soon. We walk out of our dorm building everyday nervous of being shamed for loving one another. We are both scared to death Trump will make same-sex marriage illegal again. We may never get the chance to make our marriage official. We joke all the time about moving to an LGBT friendly state or even going through with a drastic move to Canada. These jokes are normally short-lived because we are scared. We have absolutely no idea what the Presidential Elect will do with his newly acclaimed power. This is all unfolding in front of our eyes constantly with new headliners left and right.

I have the pleasure of residing in a red state in the South surrounded by a large majority that supports everything I disagree with. I have heard opinions from some of the most bigoted, racist, misogynistic, ignorant people one could ever come across. The day after the election results, I went to my classes as normal. I couldn’t look anyone in the face. I lost my trust for my peers and professors. I felt isolated and hurt. How could they do this to such a loving community? Or even more important, how could they do this to African Americans? Our international students? Those with different religious beliefs? Why are we being punished for something out of our control? What’s so wrong with the color of one’s skin, what one believes in, or being with someone he or she may love? It baffles me that others are so fueled by hatred because of miniscule differences.

I had a more unique living situation growing up. My twin sister is autistic. We were inseparable as kids, like twins should be. As we grew up together and were placed around a wider group of peers, I saw how being different can really upset some people down to their core. Kids with cruel intentions would mock my sister. They would say unspeakable things solely because she had a mental disability. Keep in mind that my sister did not choose to have autism. This is something she must live with everyday for the rest of her life. She is automatically ostracized because she has difficulty translating her thoughts as well as other people.

And to think, this same situation is occurring with a larger portion of the population today.

I grew up being the introvert I am by observing others. This helped me a lot with understanding why people say the things they do. I ultimately learned how to be more accepting at a younger age. I always strive to be kind to everyone I meet. I’ve dealt with my own baggage. I know what my worst feels like, and I’d never wish that upon anyone else. We each have our own story. We all live different lives that make us who we are. This makes me wonder, why is human decency failing us right now more than ever in the United States? Why do we get off on arguments and debates? I never would have thought that being humane would be so difficult for humans.

Being a citizen of the United States, I have no idea what the 2016 election will bring us in the future. We can only continue to hope and pray that the people of this country can find their humility deep down inside to stick together in this time of disorder. I wish you all a peaceful 2017.