This past week has come with cheerful rejoices, painful tears, and many mixed feelings as the United States elected its 45th President, Donald Trump. This election's outcome was unexpected, and frankly, America doesn't know how to handle it. You've all seen or heard what I'm talking about. You seen the social media posts, you've heard about the violent protests, and you've probably listened to a few differing opinions on the matter. But here's the deal, on November 8th, America spoke. We were given the chance to make a choice between two candidates and we chose one. No, it wasn't rigged, Donald Trump simply received more electoral college votes than Hillary Clinton.

Each one of us has an opinion, and whether it is spoken or unspoken, that opinion will remain ours. As the First Amendment of our Constitution states, we have the right to express these viewpoints freely and without oppression. But as this election has unraveled, I have seen these opinions become oppressed. I have read stories about highways being shut down, store windows being smashed, riots becoming violent, and protestors burning the American flag. Now I understand how these people must feel, the person they voted for was not elected President. But does that give them the right to ruin others' property? Does it give them the right to burn the flag we praise? Does it give them the right to infringe on the lives of others to complain about an election that has already happened? Here is a piece of information that may be helpful, the protests won't change the outcome, they will simply make the matter worse.

Now, I understand if you are thinking, "Well, what credibility do you have? It's not like you were there or anything." And you're right, I wasn't there. I wasn't walking down streets holding a baseball bat and burning the American flag. But I'm from a city near Portland, Oregon, a city where these protests have been taking place. My parents can't drive to work because the highway is shut down. Downtown is an absolute disaster from broken glass and damaged cars. So, I may not be in on all the action, but hey, it's my opinion.

These riots and protests won't change the outcome of this election, the people have already spoken. To the activists and protestors, you all are members of this nation, so when you wreck another's property because they believe something different than you, or you shut down a highway because some of these people voted for a man you don't support, you are not helping the problem. You have created an environment within your own party that insinuates violence and hatred. Now, if you feel so strongly as to resort to these actions, please consider removing yourself from the picture entirely. No one is asking you to demolish our streets, yell profanity, or disrespect others due to their differences. So, please, stop the violence and come together. This is an important time in our country's history, and the last thing we need is more divide.