Into the early hours of Nov. 9 votes were cast and the Republican candidate, Donald Trump, was elected as the 45th president of the United States. While the election may be over, its impact can still be felt, as it has left the country more polarized than ever before. In this time of division, it is crucial that we move forward and unite the country once again by moving past our differences.
Like in years past, Nov. 8 was an exciting day for voters. Many claimed that it was a vote for “the lesser of two evils” and this mentality has left the country extremely divided—to say the least. Numerous demonstrations of disapproval have been seen all over the country as people have turned to hatred as the way to release their pent up emotion. We have even seen protests at MN.
It is especially important, after such a politically charged election, that we continue to move forward. Together. As a nation.
Our nation is a country of unified individuals from various backgrounds. In the past, those who were persecuted, wanted more opportunities, or looked to a brighter future all found their home in the United States. The hatred that we are seeing toward citizens of different backgrounds must come to an end. We need to stop looking for the differences that separate us and start realizing that we are citizens of the same nation—a nation where our differences make us stronger, a nation where these differences should be celebrated.
As Donald Trump said in his victory speech during the early hours of Nov. 9, “Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division. To all Republicans and Democrats and independents across this nation, I say it is time for us to come together as one united people.”
However, it isn’t just Trump who has highlighted the message of unity. Hillary Clinton, the former Democrat candidate, stressed the importance of coming together as well. In her concession speech, Clinton said, “Our campaign was never about one person, or even one election. We have seen that our nation is more deeply divided than we thought. But I still believe in America, and I always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. We owe [Donald Trump] an open mind and the chance to lead.”
As both Trump and Clinton said, it is important that we start to erase the labels that currently divide our nation. We need to stop allowing political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, LGBTQ+ identification, and the like to separate our country. While some are still upset by the outcome of the election, we cannot dwell on the past. We must realize that democracy is the foundation of this country.
For those who are unhappy with the election, it is important to keep an open mind and give Trump a chance. For those who are happy with the outcome, being graceful and making genuine effort to understand the other side is crucial. For both sides, it is important that rather than continuing to look for the differences that divide our country, we learn to unify ourselves once again. As citizens of the United States, it is time that we look to the future and come together.