Here I sit writing my final thoughts, finding myself with a racing mind, and a heavy heart. It’s safe to say that I never felt as though I could be more passionate about my morals, beliefs and views than I have in the past year and a half. I didn’t think that I would be sitting here writing this article today, feeling the way I am. I am shocked, baffled and in disbelief that the American people (although not the majority) voted Donald Trump: a bigoted, racist, sexist, arrogant man into office.

It’s taken me awhile to gather my thoughts on an issue that I could have written an essay in a short amount of time about in the past. From a sociological view, I understand the frustrations of Americans. I understand the need for many changes in our country, and the stand people take to better the lives of the citizens who inhabit it. I know that many things anger people, and that we all look for a person who embodies the characteristics and abilities to lead our country in a different, positive direction. Although, I do not see how those who voted for the winner, see him as the voice we need for this change.

I respect all of those who take advantage of our right to vote, and those who want to have their voices heard. I do not disrespect the people who support Donald Trump. We all come from different backgrounds, families, cultures, etc. We all have a different story that we are trying to write in life, which involves any struggles, and accomplishments, as well as different paths that we take. But how can your story involve envisioning a positive change involving a man like Donald Trump?

As a middle class woman and minority, I am fearful for what is going to come. I fear for my bodily rights to have an abortion, or be provided birth control under my insurance. I am fearful for being oppressed because I am different than those who are white. I am fearful for my economic future, for I will live in a time where it will be virtually impossible for upward mobility. I am fearful for my children to be born and ascribed a social status involving poverty, something they will not being able to control. I am fearful as a woman being unable to shatter the glass ceiling. I am fearful men will look down upon me, and objectify me because of my sex. I am fearful that this election showcases the difference between a man and a woman, for a woman that has had years of experience in politics has been beaten by a white business man with no experience at all. I am fearful that I will never be able to be paid as much as man, no matter my education level. I am fearful that anger and hatred will divide this country for years to come, no matter what the outcome was.

For you 1% out there, I am happy for you. I am happy that you no longer have to worry about securing your wealth. That you don’t have to worry about paying more in order for the millions of people without health insurance to receive it. I am happy that you will not have to fear for your children being ascribed a social and economic status that will set them up for failure. But for the 99% of you out there, I am sorry. I am sorry that there will be no middle class. I am sorry that we will have to deal with the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer. I am sorry we will be unable to narrow the racial, social, and economic gap between us and the 1%.

I am sorry for all of the adults who have to lean on their parents to be able to have health insurance, for all of those who will not be able to go to the hospital and seek the care you need. I am sorry for all the women out there who will no longer be able to get the birth control they need, or be able to protect their bodily rights and get abortions if they see fit. I am sorry for all the LBGTQ people out there, I wish we could have protected your rights for marriage and equality. I am sorry for all those who fear their religion will be oppressed, our country was not created to hate, or oppress those who practice religions different than us. For those who have disabilities, I am sorry we elected someone who mocks you. For those women who have ever been sexually assaulted or raped, I am so sorry our new commander in chief has bragged about these actions, making it seem like it was okay, and justified.

I will always love my country. I will never give up on the ideals and values that this country was founded upon. I will never let anyone strip away my nationalism, and acceptance for everyone who inhabits these 50 states. I will stand up for those who take away my rights, and the rights of my fellow citizens. If you’re black, white, Asian, Hispanic, a woman, a man, a Muslim, a Christian, straight, gay, transgender, rich or poor, you are what makes this country unique. No one will be able to change that nor will anyone be able to take away your pride. I have so much hope for this country no matter who the leader. I have hope for the love, acceptance, and respect that we all have bounded by all the ups and downs this country has endured. United we stand, divided we fall. In order to stand, we need to accept each others views, realize we all have different backgrounds, religions, skin colors etc. but we all need to fight for a common goal. We need to ensure that our children will be able to say the pledge of allegiance, with their hand on their heart, proud to be an American.

I have seen on social media all of the horrific things people have been saying. I have seen demeaning comments about my race, and many others. How can belittling someone help your cause, or prove a point? This isn't the America that I grew up to love. This isn't a white America. It's a diverse nation that went through years of segregation, oppression, and sexism, in order to get to the point we are today. I take what's being said, although not directed towards me as an individual, to heart. It upsets me to realize how there's still so much judgement. I thought people in 2016 would be mature enough to see that someones religion, skin color, or difference in feature does not make them a lesser human. The people of 2016 want to be progressive, but in this point in time we are digressing from the fact that in order to change this country, accepting each other for who we are is what needs to come first. If we can do that, we will be able to trust each other, and lean on each other to create a better America that benefits all people, not just one race.

With all this being said, we will never change things the way we want to if we continue to stand divided. Many things have and can be accomplishments by disagreements and different views, but nothing will ever be accomplished if we are driven by hatred and anger. America has thrived off of our differences. Our different skin colors, religions, sexes and political views. As Winston Churchill once said “Democracy is the worst form of government, except all those other forms that have been tried.” People making their own decisions is far more constructive, and effective than autocrat making them for us. We are what makes this country what it is. Democracy can be there to guide us, it can guide us to rise or it can guide us to fall. Essentially, we can create a better America, a nation where all our voices our heard, where we don’t let our values and beliefs become misguided or shadowed. This can only happen if we do not become divided. If we realize that our common goal is to create a better America, to progress our country we can never fail. We can not let all this hatred define who we are as a nation. No one person could change the way I feel about America. I will never accept the man we chose to lead us, but I can accept the path of change us citizens can make while paving the road to a better America. I will open up to the love and acceptance of all kinds of people, and under the 13 stripes, and 50 stars, if united we can stand, we will never fall.