I've been waiting to write my first article in the hopes that I would come across a topic that really inspired me, and boy, am I inspired.

It's now three days following the 2016 election. One in which an "upset," as so many have claimed, occurred. This was not an upset for me, for my family, for many of my friends. For many of us, it was a victory; a chance to truly "Make America Great Again."

As you can probably tell, I voted for Donald Trump and for the past few days, I have been called every name that can be thought of. But in what way am I really different than those who supported the other side? I am standing by my beliefs and praying that Donald Trump will prove those who think so poorly of him, wrong.

Let me make one thing clear to all of you, I supported Donald Trump, but that does not mean that I condone all of his actions, his words, or his thoughts. Can you honestly say that if Hillary Clinton had been elected, that you supported all of hers as well? I would sure hope that you would not support murder and corruption, but I would understand that you supported her party platform and what she stood for, whether you believed that she was an entirely great person or not.

Therefore, you may think that I am a lot of things for supporting Donald J. Trump, but I am not.

I am not a racist, but I have most certainly been called one. Do I support the individuals (there are a few) that would stand in the crowd of a Trump rally and yell racial slurs? No, I am not that person and that person or group of people does not define the political party. I do not support the Black Lives Matter movement, because I support All Lives Matter, with no life being greater than the next. I cannot say that I understand the struggles of different races, but I can say that their struggles should not bring fear to my life because is that not just being hypocritical on their behalf? I am not racist, but I do support stronger borders. When Donald Trump claimed "Build the Wall," I supported it. I know that this will effect many people, but the strength of our borders effects my family as well. I KNOW that all Muslims are not terrorists, but some are. America became a weak country when we decided to be friends with the rest of the world. We became weak when our borders allowed anybody in. Therefore, I support Donald Trump in his ideas of a stronger border. I support having individuals of other countries throughout our world finding refuge in this impeccable country; if they do it the right way. I do not support the free entry of refugees into our country, because unlike many people, I hold the belief of nationalism. Of our citizens above the rest.

I am not hateful, but I have been told that I am. As I have previously said, I do not condone Donald Trump for his words. I am not hateful. Those who support Donald Trump are not all hateful, just like those who support Hillary Clinton are not all corrupt, but some are. I am not defined by the party that I support. The comments made by Donald Trump in 2005 are despicable and they are not what I stand for, but I also believe in forgiveness. I believe that our Lord is able to forgive those for their sins and that if he is able to, we are able to as well. In Matthew 18:21-22, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?' Jesus answered, 'I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times'." Therefore, we are to forgive, not once or twice, but many times. Additionally, in Luke 6:37, the Lord claims "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Therefore, I believe in the power of forgiveness. I believe that although we may feel as though justice needs to be served to those who have acted against us, we should forgive in obedience of the Lord. I am not hateful for what I believe in, but I have been told that I am.

I am not uneducated, but I have been told that I am. Did I make an unjustified decision based upon the simple fact that I do not like the opposing candidate? I did not. I made a decision for my vote based upon the policies at play and which will best support my family. Before you jump to conclusions, let me set a few things straight. As a child, my dad did not come from a wealthy family. He did not have a lot of money, but he worked hard and his parents worked hard. He came from a family of people that knew what it meant to work for what you were given. This is where the problem with today's world is coming from; my generation's sense of entitlement. Today, my dad is a successful businessman. He has his own law firm and has worked hard to make sure that he can provide for our family. But do you think that he protested or rioted because everything didn't always go his way? Or when the candidate that my family did not vote for in 2008 or 2012 was elected? He was a cop for ten years before he met my mom (who was also a successful business woman but quit due to illness, but we'll get to that later) then proceeded to go to law school at night while serving as a cop during the day. Hard work does pay off, you are not entitled to a successful job or life. I am tired of being told that I am uneducated. I am tired of seeing people that are entirely capable of working, receiving hand outs. I am educated. In May, I will be graduating from NC State, with a bachelor's degree in political science. I have maintained a GPA that has kept me on the Dean's List since I have been attending this University. From here, I will attend law school. I know the policies that the Republican Party Platform sets forth and these support the beliefs that I have developed from the education that I have received. So please, do not tell me I am uneducated based upon the man that I have voted for. I am not ignorant.

I am not entitled. I am not a spoiled child that is simply striving to marry rich. I work at two different places and make straight A's at NC State. I do not expect this life to be given to me and I plan to work for everything that I have. I will not stand for healthy and able individuals to receive hand outs from the government, when it would be much easier for me to do that as well. I will not stand for people who claim that they cannot get a job for some particular reason, to receive welfare when they haven't even tried. I will not stand for individuals of my generation to destroy this country on the basis of the fact that they did not get the election result that they wanted. I will not stand for entitlement, because that will get you nowhere.

I am tired of the disrespect shown to the men and women that fight to protect you and me. As I said, my father served 10 years as a Raleigh Police Officer. Both of my grandfathers are/were World War Veterans. I will not stand for the disrespect that these individuals have received. I will not stand for the "justice" that people are claiming by killing innocent men and women protecting our cities. Yes Black lives matter, but so do White, Hispanic, and BLUE. Our men and women do not fight oversees to see wars erupt at home. They do not fight so that you can burn the flag when something doesn't go your way. Come together, we are meant to be the UNITED States. Understand that there are bad people in any discipline, but most people are good. Burning down and destroying YOUR cities throughout OUR country does not help. Burning the flag does not help. Not standing for the National Anthem, does not help. Fight for a cause that you believe in, but do it in the right way.

I want a change, so I voted for one. Although some may claim that I do not understand the struggle that people face, I do, just a different one. Under our current President, my family has struggled. Yes, my father works hard to make a good living, but that does not mean we don't struggle. I understand that people suffer with certain social issues, but those social issues do not define them. However, a sickness, like the two autoimmune diseases that my mother fights a constant battle with EVERY DAY are a true "struggle". Under Obamacare, it is nearly impossible for her to afford the health care that she needs in order to hopefully wake up the next day. Do not tell me that I do not know the struggle just because I do not know yours. I wanted a change in policy, so I voted for one.

I am a Christian, and boy am I proud to be one. This country needs a little less support of certain celebrities, a little less materialism, and a lot more God. I will not be belittled for my Christian beliefs against abortion. I will not be belittled for wanting to bring prayer back to America or wanting the National Anthem said at any event. I will not be belittled for believing in a greater God. 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." I voted for a candidate that supports my Christian beliefs, just look at who he chose for Vice President.
I will stand true to my God, for He stands true to me and He is this country's only saving grace.

I am not a bigot, no matter how many times I have been called one. I am not misogynistic, I am not hateful, I am not cruel, I am not uneducated, and I am not racist. There are so many things that I have been called that I am not, simply for the beliefs that I voted for. Stop looking for the negatives in life, focus on the positives for there always will be at least one. I will continue to stand and fight for my cause, as I hope that you will stand and fight for yours.