The Election is over - What can you do now?

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On November 9, 2016, Donald Trump was elected as the next President of the United States.

On that Wednesday, the feeling that overwhelmed me was shock. I was confident that Hillary would win. I thought it was going to be a close race, but I thought she was going to pull it off. And so did most of America.

Commuting into DC that morning, the metro was quiet. The city was solemn. We were ready to celebrate the first female President. We were ready to see that glass ceiling shattered.

My heart immediately went out to those with disabilities, the LGBTQ community, minorities and women. I couldn't stop thinking about the disappointment and fear they must be feeling.

That morning my colleagues and I gathered in our office kitchen to watch Hillary give her concession speech. I was surrounded by people in disbelief, distress, and tears.

A lot has been said about this election, and especially over this past week. With that being said, I don’t feel the need to talk too much more about my feelings on the president-elect, but I would like to share one reminder and two quotes that really stuck out to me.

The reminder is: Not all Republicans are the same. Not all Democrats are the same. Not everyone classifies themselves as a Republican or Democrat, or believes in every value of these parties. Not all Trump or Clinton supporters are the same. No two people are the same. Let's remember this, not discriminate, and be kind to each other.
“Now, everybody is sad when their side loses an election. But the day after, we have to remember that we’re actually all on one team. This is an intramural scrimmage. We’re not Democrats first. We're not Republicans first. We are Americans first. We’re patriots first. We all want what’s best for this country.” - President Barack Obama

"Never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it." - Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton.
We are #BetterTogether. I do believe that love trumps hate. I do believe that we need to stick together as Americans.

I also believe that we shouldn’t stop fighting for what we believe in. Just because who I voted for didn’t win, doesn’t mean I’m going to stop fighting for the causes that I believe in.

So, my main point of this post is to say that just because the election is over, and the next president has been chosen, does not mean that we are helpless and should stop fighting. We live in America, we are never hopeless. We can always do our part to make a change. Look for ways to get involved, whether it is volunteering locally or donating to your favorite causes.

In honor of the election, I donated to the following charities that I feel passionate about:
Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Earth Justice
Special Olympics Virginia 
Herndon Young Life
                                       Ronald McDonald House DC
Now get out there and do your part! Stand up for what you believe in and never let anyone get in your way.

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