I debated for a while whether or not I wanted to actually even write this blog post. I am not one to discuss or (in some cases) argue politics.  However, the amount of hate, negativity, and just plain ignorance I’ve seen in the past week alone, has made me change my mind.

The way the Presidential Election works is not something that is new to America.  Someone wins, someone loses.  That’s how it always has been.  Donald Trump won, and Hillary Clinton lost.  If this is upsetting to you, that’s okay.  You’re entitled to your own opinion.  If you’re happy that Trump won, that’s okay too.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion – that’s the beauty of America.  We are the Land of the Free.  We all have the right to express our opinions.  And I believe that we should.  Everyone’s voice should be heard.

Before I go any further, I would like to say this: I was not/am not a Trump supporter, or a Hillary supporter.  I do not care for either one of them.  I do not believe either were qualified candidates to run our country.  Trump clearly does not speak before he thinks; he makes these crude, horrible comments, and it’s not okay.  Hillary, in my opinion, comes across as sneaky.  I don’t believe she’s trustworthy.  To me, I truly did not care that much about who won the election.  I felt like we were screwed regardless, to be honest.  I knew that when the winner was announced, it would not effect me greatly.  I knew no matter which way it ended up going, someone was going to be upset.  That’s a given.  What I did not expect, though, was the outright ignorance, hatred, and righteousness of the losing party.

Being upset is understandable.  What is not understandable to me, however, is attacking anyone you believe even remotely supports Trump, and passing so much judgement on them as a person.  Your political views do not define you.  I know many wonderful people (women included) who voted for Donald Trump.  No, they are not racist.  They are not sexist.  They are not homophobic.  I also know many wonderful people who voted for Hillary.  They are not judgemental, unforgiving or naive.  These are people I love and care for, and their political preference has not made me think any more or any less of them.  As it should be.  Politics should not come between families and friendships.  You should be able to agree to disagree.  Clearly, this is much easier said than done.

I don’t believe in the protests that have been occurring around the country.  But, like I just said – agree to disagree.  If you want to protest, go for it.  You have every right to.  What you do not have a right to, however, is turning protesting into acts of violence.  Has anyone sat back and thought of how hypocritical it is to oppose Donald Trump for his hatred, when you’re behaving in the exact same manner you claim to dislike?  To burn the American flag, to start fires, to physically and verbally hurt other people – what are you trying to accomplish?  Do you think that these are not acts of violence and hate?

You don’t have to like Donald Trump, but he is the President of the United States.  He won.  Saying, “He’s not my president”, is not going to change that.  Rioting is not going to change that.  Ending friendships and relationships with someone who does not agree with you will not change that.  It’s a fact.  You don’t have like to it, but we should be able to accept it.  Do I want him as my president?  No, not particularly.  But he is.  And I hope that he does great things, I truly do.  As an American, why would I want our country to fail? I think that’s what I am having a hard time understanding the most.  If anything, we should be coming together as a nation right now, not creating a divide between each other.

To say that I wish more people had the same outlook as me sounds very egotistical of me, but I do.  There are more important things to life.  If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that life is too short.  I have no time for hatred.  I want to be the best person I can be – kind, compassionate, and loving.  I have no intention of taking any moments with my loved ones for granted.  Especially over politics.