I’ve been lucky to live in a liberal bubble my entire life. I’ve been lucky to have friends, family, and teachers who believe in my intelligence, my passion, and my determination. I’ve been lucky to experience an America that, despite its issues, has made me feel safe. Now I am angry, scared, and disappointed for the future.

I am angry. I am angry that my LGBTQA+ friends no longer feel safe enough to be who they are. I am angry that my minority friends have to take extreme measures to stay safe. I am angry that my social media feed was flooded with links to anxiety coping mechanisms and suicide hotlines for people who couldn’t bear the idea of America being “great again.”

I am scared. I fear for the well-being of the single mother in my community who already struggles to support her children with her meager pay. I fear for the impoverished who will lose access to healthcare with the potential repeal of ObamaCare. I fear for my safety as a woman and as a person of color.

I am disappointed. I am disappointed in the women of this country who willingly voted for a man who has displayed an appalling lack of respect for women. I am disappointed in the immigrants who voted for a man who opposes their right to be here. I am disappointed in people who can support a man who preaches hate and discord.

Americans voted, and Donald Trump won.

Eight years ago we elected our first African-American President. This election feels like a step backward. Despite what Mr. Trump can or cannot accomplish in office, his presidency will undoubtedly leave America in shambles socially. Over the last ten years, even people who harbored racist or misogynistic attitudes have become increasingly reluctant to display them. Now, these people can speak their hate openly and other people will voice their agreement. Trump has united Americans, but he has united them as racists, misogynists, and oppressors. This election has confirmed that even though 60,071,650 people might not completely agree with Donald Trump’s antics, they believed enough in his plan for America that they voted him into executive office for the next four years.

What do we do now? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What I do know is we cannot be silent. We cannot let our progress be undone. We cannot let people fear for their lives. It’s our duty to fight for our rights and protect the rights of our peers to make America safe again.