Don’t just get over it.

Don’t.

If someone out there who disagrees is telling you to get over it, chances are, you’re doing something very right. You’re causing them to question their narrative, to think more broadly than they’re comfortable with.

Following women’s marches all across the country this past Saturday, there was an uproar and backlash from those with opposing views. And, that’s okay.

What’s not okay is to consider, even for a second, succumbing to their request for silence. We have voices, guys. We have been blessed with loud voices, and first amendment rights, so keep using them. Don’t let the right wing shut you down, continue the fight.

You’re confidently standing up for what you believe in, whether it be Planned Parenthood funding, LGBTQ equality, or equal pay, and that in itself is admirable.

Hatred and attacks stem directly from the other side’s insecurity. If they believed in their leaders and were firm in their beliefs, they would be able to discuss, rather than scrutinize. Instead, we’re faced with name calling and attacks in an attempt for them to mask their insecurity. We are confident, strong, and powerful together. We are causing questions and making an impact because of our unity.

Unity.

One of the most important things we have in this age of political war. The greatest problem we as the American people face is a lack of unity. We have built up this huge barrier between the two major political parties, and refuse to tear it down. We cannot harbor conversation and growth so long as we are still at each others’ throats.

Don’t just get over it, because maybe, just maybe, if we continue to be heard, we might just find some unity. Maybe if there were more peace rallies and empowerment marches, and less vandalism, destruction, and foul name calling, we wouldn’t be such a politically driven and heated society.

At the root of either party is the desire to do good. Whether you agree with either side or not is beside the point; that does not change their motivation, which is the desire to do what is right. Not everyone’s version of right is going to be universally accepted, but we can listen. We’re not going to agree, but we can understand. Somewhere in the fight against each other’s parties, we traded empathy for apathy. For some reason, we thought it was okay to dehumanize either side, rather than allow each other to be heard.

Maybe, just maybe, if we attacked less and listened more, we would not have this divide. We wouldn’t be such an utterly chaotic, torn country.

Maybe things would be okay if we continue to preach love rather than hate. Acceptance rather than exclusion.

Be gracious, be kind, but be bold. Continue to use your voice for your version of good, and don’t just get over it.