Congratulations on electing your 45th president! This sure was a nasty election season, but I hope you made the right choice. I like to think positively, to think that Donald Trump will do well in his four years at the White House. I didn't vote for him. I don't agree with anything he stands for. But I wish him well.
Having said that, I now want to focus on us, the people of the United States of America. We all come from various backgrounds, different walks of life, and differing beliefs. That is what the United States means to me. Various and different. Ever changing. I don't always agree with the changes, but sometimes change needs to happen.
After this election, many people, myself included, were feeling quite unsettled. I read of people who cried themselves to sleep. Friends who had to comfort and reassure their children, telling them everything would be all right. What is everyone so worried about? Don't they know that the president can't just do anything they want?
People aren't afraid of the newly elected Donald Trump. They are afraid of the people who voted for him. Who supported and endorsed him. Here's why. Trump was very outspoken during his candidacy. He accused Mexican immigrants of being drug dealers and rapists. He said that we need to make vetting for Syrian immigrants more difficult. He said rude and hurtful things about women. The people supporting him agreed with what he was saying. Trump is not the problem. The people who supported him are.
(On a side note, there are people who voted for Trump who did not agree with everything he said. They voted for Trump because of the people he chose to work with. I don't see this as support.)
Support is blindly following and agreeing with everything Trump says and does. Many people are worried for the future because they believe things are going to go backwards. No more rights for the LGBT community is one of the greatest fears I have seen so far. Although I may not support the LGBT community, it doesn't mean I want their rights taken away. Everyone should have the freedom to choose how they want to live their lives.
That was just an example of the fear people are feeling at this time. But knowing that family and friends voted for someone who will fight to take away your rights is what scares people most.
My message to all the American citizens is to not be afraid. Don't stop fighting for what you believe in. Whether you are for or against something, don't give up the battle. You still have the right to choose. Nothing was taken away from you. The most important thing to do right now is to accept that not everyone thinks the same way you do. And respect that. Trump might be able to make this country great again, but not without us. So change the name on your signs and hats and pins. Mine would say 'Philip: Make America Great Again'. Because that's how things should be.
Sincerely,
Philip
