"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided...We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."

Tuesday November 8th, 2016 started off as a normal day. We woke up and followed a routine, except now this routine also included voting for who will be the next president of the United States. America was split into three sides. Those who wanted Hillary Clinton to win, those who wanted Donald Trump to win, and those who didn't want either party to win. The Democrats were very sure of that their candidate would win. How could they not be? The media was broadcasting exactly that, and the polls were supporting that. The Republicans believed that they could come back from behind. They believed that they could still win this and they didn't give up hope. Both sides kept campaigning till the very end and they tried their hardest.

So the countdown to who would become out next president had truly begun, and I watched eagerly. When I couldn't vote because of my age, I didn't really care for who won. Well, I did care, but I wasn't as invested as I was when I couldn't vote. So here I was at six o'clock. Phone at my side to keep track of updates, flicking through shows, but continually always ending up at one of the news station or one of the live result shows wondering who will win. It was amazing to watch the country's mood change, to watch the mood of our great nation change, to watch the mood of other nations suddenly change, because suddenly the expected candidate wasn't racking in electoral votes.

The people watched in anticipation. It was reported that at the Hilton loud cheers could be heard from where the Trump Administration was staying, and the attitude inside where Clinton and her supporters were was somber. Everyone watched, they watched because their hopes and dreams would determine this very day. Trump was taking state after state, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania. Trump was snatching states right under Hillary and people were utterly shocked. Some people grew worried and others grew confident. Around Ten O'Clock even though the electoral votes weren't all in, everyone knew who would win. Some people cried, others cheered with glee. Some people celebrated and others mourned. It was a night of mixed emotions. Then a winner had been chosen, it was early in the morning and many were still awake. Donald Trump would be the 45th President of the United States. He gave a speech that was more presidential than he ever has. People awaited Hillary's speech since win or lose, once a winner is announced it's standard protocol to do a concession speech or a victory speech. People were distressed and waited, but it wasn't in until 11 O'clock on Wednesday morning that she did. Hillary gave a heartfelt and motivated speech. It was empowering, it was emotional, and despite looking defeated, Hillary Clinton had won over a nation. She had won their respect, and she held her head up high, and she showed people what they would be missing in a presidential candidate.

Donald Trump was beginning his transition as President-Elect and was invited to the White House by President Barack Obama. The meeting went well, but then protest after protest began. Wednesday afternoon people marched from Union Square to Trump Tower. Some people in other states were jumping people who they assumed 'voted' for Donald Trump. Thursday night people continued to protest. Friday night people continued to protest.

America does not need to respect Donald Trump, but they need to accept him as the next President of the United States. Americans can protest once Donald Trump does something as president that they don't like or when he does something as president that is immoral. We do not need to like him, he probably doesn't even care if we do, but this our country. We look weak when we are not unified, and we look broken when we fight each other. We look foolish when we hate others for their vote. As a country based off of democracy, we must accept the winner. Whether it be grudgingly or proudly. Hillary Clinton would have been an amazing president. She would have changed America, but she is not the one who one the election. Therefore we have to suck it up and let him do his job. Only when Donald Trump is president and making laws that are unjust for the American people should we get out there and protest. That is when we should go out and fight for Justice, but now just isn't the time.

We are only as strong as we are united. Please remember that as time move on. He may surprise us, in a way that is good or bad, but we must unite and stay strong, and wait to see what the future holds.