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Like many Americans, I did not vote for Donald Trump. Like many Americans, I was shocked by Donald Trump’s sound electoral defeat of Hillary Clinton. Unlike many Americans, I am not disgusted, disturbed, or even upset with the outcome of this election. For those of you in protest or in tears, I want you to remember a simple fact: Donald Trump’s election is not a repudiation of you. It is not a repudiation of LGBTQ Americans. It is not a repudiation of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, or Muslim Americans. Fundamentally, Donald Trump’s election is a repudiation of Hillary Clinton. More broadly, however, it is a repudiation of the status quo.

To dismiss Donald Trump is to dismiss the 60 million Americans that came together and boldly declared their unhappiness with the state of America. Like Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump is merely the imperfect ambassador of a cause that is righteous to a plurality of Americans. To categorize this election as a mere victory for Donald Trump is to fundamentally misunderstand American’s election process. This is a victory for all the Americans that look to Donald Trump and see a better future. Despite what you may think, this group of 60 million Americans is not primarily comprised of racists, bigots, or hateful people. It is primarily comprised of decent Americans that simply want a better nation for themselves and their families. These people are not our enemies. They are our compatriots.

In 2008, my humanities teacher showed the class a video of John McCain. As one of his supporters went on to defile Obama as an ‘Arab’ and describe how she felt unsafe with his candidacy, McCain’s face looked increasingly distraught. His response was as simple as it is powerful: “[Obama is] a decent family man [and] citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that is what this campaign’s all about,”. My 6th grade class has already learned a lesson that many Americans are still struggling to learn today: no amount of party politics or campaign rhetoric supersedes our position as Americans. We are all patriots. We all want a better America. We all have aspirations, dreams, and hopes for this country. Some of these desires conflict with each other. Many, however, do not.

Donald Trump has said his fair share of questionable things. He has alienated many groups and greatly disturbed a large portion of the American population. For that, I am sure many of his supporters are deeply sorry. Despite Trump’s past transgressions, I implore you all to approach January with an open mind and an open heart. Perhaps Trump is a racist and a bigot. Does this preclude him from doing things that benefit the entire country? Does this undoubtedly suggest that his presidency will be a racist one? In his acceptance speech, Donald Trump announced that he will be the President of not just some Americans, but all Americans. We owe our fellow Trump-supporting compatriots a chance for Donald Trump to prove this.

It is time for America to come together. It is time for Americans to remember that what unites us will always outweigh what separates us. It is time to make (or keep) America great.