Wednesday night was definitely one to remember. While many people were feeling hopeless and fearful after the election results, thousands were able to come together and channel these feelings into taking action. Many, many people gathered in the streets of at least 25 major cities across the nation. Given the election results, it could be very easy for Americans to sulk around and project extreme negativity on the state of our nation, however, I am very happy to say that I have seen just the opposite of that. Trump’s election is fueling people to keep fighting. There is a fire in the hearts of Americans, and many are using it to take action and stand up for what they believe in.

Throughout the election process, I have learned so much about my friends, family and peers – and how so many people could be affected if the wrong decisions are made in office. Last night in the midst of nation-wide protests, one here in Richmond passed my apartment building 4 times. When my roommate and I ran out and jumped in for part of it we found that amidst all the yelling, there was still a whole lot of peace and love. Initially, running out to that big throng of people choked me up. My heart was beating fast and I felt a surge of energy and power unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The protest began on the Monroe Park Campus and went on around the city for upwards of 4 hours. It even shut down both I-64 and I-95 at different points. Some chants that the crowd yelled were “Not my Pres!” and “No Trump, No KKK, No Facist USA!”. It helped me realize that there really is power in the people. We truly can, and absolutely will, make a difference.

There are so many scary aspects of this election. Whether it is LGBTQ+ rights, Immigration rights, or even just citizens’ rights in general (the list goes on), so many people will be affected in the next four years. Many worry that the effort and progress put forth by our ancestors to get where we are today will be lost. One of my best friends is part of the LGBTQ+ community. The hopelessness and despair she is experiencing as she thinks about her future due to the election of Trump is scary – it is so real. Another friend of mine is an immigrant from Mexico and he is beyond worried for his family. The possibility of Trump’s presidency early on already posed an immense threat to immigrants and Mexico alike – but now that he is president-elect these people can, and will, be directly affected in negative ways. A close family friend of mine is a widowed, single mother who will almost indefinitely have to go back to work in order to support her family as a result of the election. These fears are extremely valid and real. It saddens me that I have to see close friends and family go through such despair.

Wednesday morning I felt like I was waking up from a horrible dream. As soon as I opened up my Facebook, I was instantly reminded of the reality of the next four years. The negativity and hate I read in people’s posts were so discouraging. How are we ever going to get through this? What have we done? It wasn’t long before people started to realize that hate is not what will help our Nation overcome this. The protests from Wednesday night prove that America is coming to that important realization. Instead of letting this election tear America apart, we can use it to draw us together as a Nation. We can use it to help us unite. We can use it to make a difference.