I am not an American citizen. I was not born here, and yesterday, I did not have the privilege to cast my vote. But I grew up believing - and still do believe - that this is the greatest nation on this Earth, and the greatest leader the world has ever known. So when the results streamed in, I asked the same question as many of my peers - how could this happen? The answer is hardly elusive - people voted according to what resonated with them, and supported the candidate they felt would protect their interests. We can never underestimate the capacity for hatred.
But just because the President-elect appealed to the baser aspects of our humanity, does not mean that those who voted for him are invalid. We are blindsided because many of us - myself included - come from positions of privilege. We forgot about the economically disenfranchised and those who perceive themselves as socially marginalized. We forgot about those who do not embrace diversity. In return, we should not hate. We should understand, and then educate.
This morning, watching Hillary Clinton's concession speech - gracious, class act that it was - I cried. I am not American, but her message was one for all of humanity - "never stop believing that fighting for what's right is worth it".
I am not an American citizen. But I don't have to be - because today, and forever, I stand with all Americans - regardless of color, religion, or race. In the wake of an incredibly destructive, divisive campaign, I still believe that in this country, there are better days ahead.
