When people picture liberals protesting, they usually imagine people starting fires, breaking windows, and wreaking having for no good reason. They aren't entirely wrong for thinking this is what protesting liberals look like; that is how some people have decided to react to the current political atmosphere. Most of my extended family holds conservative political beliefs and my Facebook feed is full of conservative news headlines like, "Where is the Liberal Outcry?" and "Crybaby Liberals 'Peacefully Protesting' Again." Well, conservative family members, here is your outcry. Here I am, an outspoken liberal, denouncing the actions of the rioters and violent protesters. We claim to be the party of love and acceptance, and for that to remain true we can’t destroy private property and risk innocent lives when things aren’t going our way. I often hear my dad say things like, “This is what happens when everyone gets a participation trophy,” in response to seeing yet another violent liberal protest.

As much as I hate to say it, he isn’t completely wrong. To be quite honest, almost none of us liberals expected to lose this election. Every news source, even the right wing ones, predicted a landslide victory for Hillary Clinton. This is part of the reason so many of us were devastated and upset when she lost. Most of the people I know, including myself, expressed their sadness by going to bed and hoping they’d wake up and it was all a nightmare. Others decided to riot. Both of these actions had the exact same effect; absolutely nothing. Whether or not I decided to just go to bed or raise up my picket sign would have no effect on the election results. The same can be said for the riots that are still happening around the nation. Nothing is going to change regarding who the president is. But that doesn’t mean we should do nothing. There are plenty of peaceful options.

Just a few weeks ago, I participated in the Oklahoma City Women’s March, a sister march to the one in Washington D.C. This peaceful demonstration of resistance to the hateful statements and actions made by our president is one of the best ways I’ve seen to express our feelings while not causing anyone harm.

Following Trump’s unfortunate executive order banning immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries, people all across the nation held peaceful demonstrations at airports to show their solidarity with the people affected by the order. This, too, is a great way to be politically active without being violent. Another great way to be a peaceful liberal is to voice your opinion. While I personally refrain from using my Facebook as a platform for my political opinions so that I don’t run into any trouble with my conservative family, using social media to express your opinion is a great way to get out all of the frustration you’re feeling. Most importantly, vote. If you are upset with the results of the election and want to stop Trump from doing as much damage as possible, get out and vote. Vote in your local elections. In two years, go out and vote for representatives and senators that represent your political views. In four years, vote for a new president.

But please, my fellow liberals; don’t riot. Don’t give Fox News any more reasons to calls us “Cry-babys.” And to my conservative family and friends, please believe me when I say most of us are not crybabys or violent or intolerant. We are willing to work with you and find a middle ground. After all, we all want America to be great, don’t we?