“I hate this country.” This was uttered by several ardent Hillary Clinton supporters that would have been lauding their nation if the election results had been in their favor. These words are spoken from a place of unrecognized privilege. Millions of people come to the United States for the freedom to criticize their government. Immigrants come in droves with the hope of participating in their democracy, something we often take for granted.
Every four years, half of the country feels dissatisfied with the results of the presidential election. Yet this year, there was an unprecedented call to disenfranchise those who voted for either President-elect Donald Trump or Clinton. Prior to the election, the hashtag #Repealthe19th galvanized cowards who believe the only way to win is to deprive an opposing group of civil liberties. Yet, I heard similar comments seeking to hinder straight white men from voting in the next election.
Sentiments like these dishonor the legacy of those who fought in the civil rights movement and the women’s suffrage movement. Voting may not be unique to the United States, but it is something Americans take great pride in. Those who were physically able to vote who abstained for either philosophical principle’ or a fundamental disinterest in politics have no right to complain about the next four years.
Everyone has a right to be disappointed in our country. Americans should be saddened that on the 78th anniversary of Kristallnacht, we allowed fear and xenophobia to trump ration. We should be angry that we are trading in a president who embraced a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy for a demagogue who kicked the same boy out of his rally.
Yet on both sides, we cannot allow this anger to ferment into hate. Unfriending or attacking people who voted differently than you will not heal the country any faster. In this time, we must mobilize our strength and prove that we are not a nation dominated by intolerance.
Kristen DiPietra is a junior double-majoring in English and human development.