Can we just get along?

Before you start reading, I have to say that I am not attacking anyone in particular based on their political choices, as I am respectful of our differences. I recognize people's right to protest, but I wish we exert that right in a way that shows our objectivity and our ability to think critically and rationally. 

I have been fascinated with the election process 2016, but more so with the reactions of many people I know (or I thought I did) as they express themselves in social media. I have never been comfortable discussing my political views, as this is a topic that is usually charged with emotions, and because of this, I shy away from public discussions. Today, I will change that by sharing my opinion. I am neither Republican or Democrat. Some years I had voted for a Republican candidate and others I had voted for Democratic one. It all depends on their political agenda or plan of action.  In this election I didn't vote for Donald Trump, and I did vote for Hillary Clinton. I didn't like Mrs. Clinton but I couldn't vote for a man who I have observed being so disrespectful to women and minorities. I hope that when we get a female president it will be a woman with character and we have many like that.

To start, I have to say that I am dating a Republican who voted for Donald Trump, and to top it all he is White. Two characteristics that place him in a "bad group" these days. I have to say that he is not a racist, a White supremacist, or a xenophobe.  What was my reaction when my boyfriend stated who he voted for? None. Despite our political disagreements I have to respect that his opinion doesn't have to mirror mine, and I have to be respectful, as I expect him to be of my opinions. I don't love him less than I did before, nor I lost respect for him.

I have been horrified with the stance some have taken against people they called friends or family, just because they voted for the opposite party. People have labeled others as racist, evil, ignorant, stupid, xenophobics, homophobics, bad Christians and other adjectives that I can't recall at this moment. When they got bored with Trump, they move to attack Melania,  degrading her by bringing naked pictures from her past and humiliating postings.  What happened with the voice of democracy? Do we only want to hear it when it speaks our language? Are we only respectful of people that agree with us? Are our friends only good people when they agree with our political views? Do we fight division with divisive words?

We need to remember that our rights don't have political parties. We need to be mindful of how we express our opinion, as the tone we use may close doors instead of opening a dialogue. I am flabbergasted on how quick people that support women rights show their disapproval of other women by exposing their flaws, making them look foolish and less than human in the public eye. Does that makes us better?  Does our support for women rights end at the end of our political party fence?

It is interesting to see how many recite the Bible to attack the ones that oppose their views. I am no religious leader, but isn't that the same Bible that says "love thy neighbor as yourself"?

I am respectful of the democratic process, and I am as concern with the future of this country as I was after previous elections. There is always a level of uncertainty after an electoral process.

I love my friends and family and I apologize if I have made any comments that had shown otherwise. The differences in our opinions make our relationships richer. My opinion of you is based on your character and not on the way you voted. 

Let's behave like adults and not like bullies in the playground. No matter what party you belong to, we all want our country to be strong and united. Lets do our part...change starts with each one of us. It's great to live in a country in where we could choose our leaders. Let's be respectful of the process and our loved ones...we cannot get what we don't give.