It is undeniable that Tuesday, November 8th came about a huge change for our country. It was on this day that we looked past the titles of Democrat and Republican, and instead voted between two extremely different individuals. In the end, despite winning the popular vote, Hilary Clinton unfortunately lost to Donald Trump. However, it wasn't just Donald Trump who won that night--it was his supporters as well. It was those who somehow looked past Trump's blatant racism, sexism, homophobia, and slander of almost all minority groups in the country. It was those who ignored his negative criticism and lack of any governmental experience. It was those who were quick to suggest "just giving the man a chance," without providing true positive plans that Trump currently has. With all those notions aside though, it's what has followed in the days following the election that have brought about the most concern.

In the days since the 2016 presidential election, the country has faced devastating amounts of division, along with fear and hatred towards others. As we all begin to face the fact that Donald Trump will be inaugurated come January, the responses to this truth hold to be evident of great differences. Being someone who supported Clinton in the election, it not only hurts, but also concerns me, considering the backlash I have seen--primarily from Trump supporters (if I must be fully honest). Although I have accepted the fact that not all people, friends and family included, will have the same outlook as me, I do not accept the amount of pure hatred and further discrimination that has prevailed.

By looking at any social media source or current news program, it can be seen how those that were targeted by Trump's slander during his campaign are now facing reprecussions. It has happened so much that individuals are speaking out about the true fear they now hold. People are hiding in their own homes because going out means risking being attacked--both verbally and physically. Just from my own experience, I have not only been told that Clinton supporters are "pussies," but that we should all just leave the country if we are unhappy with the outcome (along with many other down right rude and ridiculous commentaries).

My question to that: why?

I just personally do not understand when it became okay for someone to tell another person to leave the country. More importantly, due to the fact that this changes nothing and doesn't help with the problem. The same goes for the harassment that any person has faced. In the end, my message is simple, but strong. It is one that not only goes for those supporting Trump, but also those who are defending Hilary:

Our 45th president has officially been nominated. It is something we must all come to accept, whether we like it or not. In the end, though, no one person or elected official can take away the fact that this is one country, one whole group of people. Therefore, it is during this time that is it most important that we stick together. We may not all agree and we may not all support the man who won, but we must be there for one another.

It was Thomas Jefferson who said, "we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

It is now more important than ever that we realize our country is home to people of various backgrounds; that no one person should ever think they are above another human being. We must accept the fact that this election will bring about different reactions, and that it is okay to be both happy and sad. However, we can not justify retaliating against one another in attacks and destruction. Those that are happy should not gloat, and those that are in despair should be allowed to express themselves in an appropriate manner.

Part of being a citizen of the country means that we are given the right to practice freedom of speech. In this situation, the popular means of this has come about in forms of protests. Those that are involved in these protests, though, must remember that destruction and vandalism does no good when our country is now falling apart already. In addition, it can not be condoned that anyone burn the symbol of our country, the American flag.

This time has been difficult for all of us. It is a time that has caused fear, tension, and hate. It is a time when people are more divided than they have been in the past several years. At the end of the day, though, all those that have the privilege of living in The United Sates of America must remember what it is that keeps us going each day.

America is a great country; it is a strong country; it is a country whose brothers and sisters have come together from all over. Yet, in order to truly "make America great again," we must work--hard. The fighting must stop, but the passion must remain; the negativity must stop, but the determination must remain; and the division must stop, and unity must remain.

We as Americans are not voiceless; we are not powerless. We have the power to make changes, but it's only when we work for the betterment of others that we can decrease the hate that has shown itself. Injustices are unfortunately all around us, and we must roll up our sleeves to put an end to them.

When Donald Trump became president, America did not stop being America, and we did not stop being Americans. When thinking back on past presidents, such as Jefferson, Roosevelt, JFK, FDR, and even Obama, it is definite that we have faced dark times before. What we must realize, though, is that even in our darkest times, we have always faced finer days.

Here's to praying that the next four years go as well as the Trump supporters think, and much better than the Clinton supporters fear. It has now become all of our missions to MAKE AMERICA (actually) GREAT AGAIN. Just remember, our actions now will speak louder than words. We must utilize both, though, to create the success that we dream of.

In the end, "we must never lose infinite hope" (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr).