This article has absolutely nothing to do with politics. I am not taking a side. I am not arguing for whether one candidate or another deserves the position of President. I am championing for love, compassion, and understanding. I am fighting for every person’s perspective to be heard and respected. I am begging people to look past whatever differences they have with each other and to choose to love everyone for the one thing we all have in common, we’re Americans.

I live on a college campus that for me is much more diverse than anywhere I have ever lived before. Since Tuesday night I have seen the fear and anxiety that every single student on this campus who is not white has felt. Now, some of you will argue that Trump isn’t racist and sexist. Others will argue that he was the lesser of two evils. Still others will say that America voted and that’s that. And that’s fine. You can say that because everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’m not saying that’s wrong or that’s right (at least right now I’m not).

What I’m saying right now is that no matter what your feelings for Trump are you need to acknowledge that a large portion of America is hurting. You need to understand that a lot of people now live in fear for their lives. Your interpretation of who our future president is does not have any effect on the emotions of other Americans. And because of all of these things you need to understand that now more than ever that differing opinions and ideologies does not call for disrespect and hate.

I have different religious and political views than some of the most amazing and important people in my life. And guess what? I still love and respect and learn from them every single day. You want to know something else? This ability to love despite differences is what will make America great again. The president only has an effect on how we treat each other if we let him. Choose something different. Choose tolerance and love and acceptance. Choose comforting someone who is fearful and in pain right now over trying to prove that you are right or that they are wrong.

My two cents might not be worth much of anything, but I want the people around me to know that I love them. No matter who they, what they believe, or how well I know them I want my classmates to know that I support them. I refuse to be even 0.0001% of a part of the hate and disrespect of minorities that we see in this country. Every day I will work to acknowledge and act on the fact that we are all bigger than our stereotypes. LOVE LOVE LOVE. Don’t just feel it. Express it.