I am not a supporter of Donald Trump. I do not feel compelled to defend the man, nor do I agree with him on a number of issues I find important. Also, I want to say that writing this is very, very hard for me. Not just because there is a part of me that worries that people are going to see me as a sympathizer to Trump and react negatively. Not just because I know I'm probably going to lose the ears of lots of people by continuing this. Yes, those are concerns of mine. I love people, and I'm always upset to know that people disapprove of my words. But there is only so much I can do about that. The biggest reason this is so hard for me is because as I'm doing all of this research, as I go through page upon page of slander, hate, propaganda, and manipulation, I really do wonder what future this country has. And that worry has nothing to do with who sits in the oval office. I'm scared of the future because I'm witnessing how we treat each other. I'm having to take frequent breaks from researching this because it truly is a depressing sight to sift through all of this content which is so horribly damaging to our integrity as individuals, and as a collective. I'm scared. Not because our next president escaped from Willy Wonka's factory. I'm scared because we treat each other as enemies.

I would like to point out some of the utter hyperbole surrounding the hatred of the President Elect. I am not doing this because I support him, I am not trying to convince anybody to change their viewpoints. I am doing this because if you want to disagree with the man, if you want to challenge his platforms, viewpoints or character, I believe you should do it in a way that doesn't make you look like an idiot. There is a lot to be skeptical of about this man. Plenty of question marks and uncertainties surround him, and it's fair to call them into question. In fact, its our civic duty to. However, when you sit there re-posting any anti-Trump content that comes across your screen without actually educating yourself about the issues, you're only making the problems in the country worse.

If you want to actually make your case, be rational. Use logic. While I am a fan of arguments grounded in pathos (emotional arguments), in this case purely emotional responses will just turn into hateful rants. Some of the scariest things I have seen since the election, have been all of the posts condemning Trump for his "hatred", but are just as hateful. If you are confused as to what may or may not be worth repeating, allow me to send some facts your way:

Trump has ZERO connection to the KKK

Trump is not homophobic

Sexual assault allegations about Trump were falsified

Trump is not a fascist

Trump is not racist

Notice that there are lots of things I did not mention up there. Which means there is still plenty of room for legitimate grievances against him, even in some of those same areas from above. However, I have noticed these specific claims being made about him, and any time I see someone call him a "fascist pig" it honestly just makes me chuckle.

Again, let me say that just because I'm stating these facts, doesn't mean there isn't room for criticism in those areas. The point I'm trying to make is that it is crucial not to hyperbolize isolated incidents. For example: Trump has made rash comments about Mexicans. That doesn't make him racist. When calling those comments into question, don't just jump straight to "He hates Mexicans!", rather why not try something like "his lack of discretion is concerning." I know, I know, it doesn't sound as exciting when I phrase it like that. But it's the truth. Criticize the actual problem, then you might actually get somewhere.

Now, with that out of the way, I'd like to say a few things about the current state of our country.

We should be ashamed.

Yes, the political season always brings out the worst it us, I know that. But this is so much worse. This goes beyond simply disagreeing and loss of civility. The exchanges between so many citizens on opposing sides of the election have been grotesque, hateful, and inhumane.

I turned 18 this year, so this was my first election as an active participant in the democracy. With this being my first time voting, I focused a great deal on doing one thing in particular: observing. I wanted to soak in everything around me in the world of politics. I didn't ever really speak out about my own opinions or get into arguments with people. No social media posts or online debating. I just watched and listened.

But a large part of me wishes I didn't.

I witnessed damn near the worst we could treat each other.

One of my (former) Facebook friends actually declared that she will "end current or future relationships if they didn't support Hilary".

..... seriously?

This is what we've come to?

You are really willing to erase people from your life simply because their political views differ from your own? It was one of the most immature things I have ever read on social media, and that's really saying something. And I wish it was the only example of such rhetoric I had seen from one of my companions.

Those reacting so dramatically to Donald Trump's victory, some of whom will even go so far as to say they "fear for their lives", are not thinking rationally. I understand that you feel concerned. I'm not saying you shouldn't. But when you make a post saying that you believe it will get to the point where people are systematically killed for political reasons, that does nothing to actually help your cause. Attempting to get people to sympathize with your fear, when your over dramatic allegations aren't actually based in fact, isn't the right thing to do. It just is not. So have your fears, have your concerns, and please, voice them. But this is not Soviet Russia. Regardless of what you think Trump will do/wants to do, this is still America, and the notion that one president has the inherent power to do those kinds of things is nothing short of absurd. This is still America, and no election will ever be worth this kind of drama.

As I regretfully scrolled through social media, It seemed like with each passing second passed another person who declared they were moving to Canada, or used the hashtag "#notmypresident". To all those who have subscribed to these movements, I ask you this: Is this really the example that you want to set for future generations? Is this really how you want to be remembered?

Let me tell you right now, you are not accomplishing what you think you are. This effort is not a noble one, nor are you actually going to influence positive change within this society that you supposedly hope to so. You are being petty. You are being cowardice. You are attempting to incite chaotic resistance. You are no better than those you criticize.

If you really want to move to Canada, please, do us all a favor and put your money where your mouth is. Go be somebody else's problem, because in order for this country to solve its own, we're going to need to all step up and rise above the divisions we have created.

I know I sound harsh, but I have run out of patience for the whiners and those who think being politically active means shouting and hashtags. If the outcome of this election was not desirable to you, then show America why your way is better. Live your beliefs, don't just declare them and ask us to take your word for it. Live the way you say we all should, then once we all notice how happy you are, we'll start doing it to. Then you'll have the president you want.

Also, to anybody who has had a hand in burning an American flag, know that you are a disgrace. I hope you're happy hiding behind the constitution as you defile it. Sure, I know that you're exercising your freedom of speech. And I'm also exercising mine when I say that you represent the lowest of the low.

It is utterly despicable that we have stooped to this level of pettiness, hatred, and disrespect towards one another. We have become a country full of petulant children. The whole world is watching America right now with concern, and not because we elected Donald Trump. It's because we have just demonstrated to the nations of this earth that America is no longer fit to lead the world. How can a country who's citizens hate each other possibly dream to be a good influence to any other nation?

But there is hope. It's a tough climb, but we can make it.

First we must learn to let go. Let go of the bitterness and contempt. Let go of this idea of superiority over one another that we all seem to cling to. Let go of the idea that someone who votes a different way than you cannot be your friend.

Just. Let. Go.

It's difficult, I know. People, especially Americans, are prideful creatures. But releasing this anger is the first, and most crucial step towards healing. Having variations in ideologies is what makes this a great country.

Once we have released our anger, we can start coming together. I don't mean we all need to rally under the Trump administration and tote the "Make America great again" banner. I mean we need to realize that the future of our country is at stake here, and for the greater good, we must embrace each other with the mutual goal of progress. Coming together doesn't mean you forfeit your ideals just because your guy lost and you submit to the rule of the winner. Nor does it mean that your ideals take over just because your guy won. The act of uniting means that we have the maturity to not just set aside our differences, but embrace them and combine them together to see what kinds of solutions we can come up with to the problems that we face.

So this is my plea to you, my American family:

Do not look at each other as Republican or Democrat, but as American. Strive to find the good things in those with whom you disagree.

Live by actions, not by words. Do the noble thing and keep your lips closed if all that will escape them are words filled with contempt.

See the beauty is our differences. Offer an open mind and an open heart to those who think differently than you.

Be humble. If a truth is presented to you that may disprove one of your viewpoints, have the grace to accept it and allow it to inform your thinking moving forward.

Think for yourself. Forget the crooked media. Educate yourself and allow your own personal moral code to influence your ideology- not a news anchor or a headline.

Be thankful. One of the things we lack the most as Americans is perspective. Remember that we are incredibly lucky, and every time we act like this, we abuse and take advantage of the things we are so fortunate to have.

If we can do these things, we will have the strength to rise above the division in America. It's not impossible, but it requires all of us to do the types of things that we are not very good at. Hopefully this election has been a wake up call. I only hope that we will come out of this ashamed at what be became. Ashamed enough to take up the mantle of rebuilding and healing- together. It doesn't mean we all have to agree, it doesn't mean we all have to like our leaders. I simply means we need to be able to recognize that some things are bigger than the divisions that we have created. Too big to let politics divide us.

I truly hope that we can prove the world wrong, and remind them once again why we are a nation worth following.