It’s 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and I’ve been watching the election results from my hometown, because I came home to vote. I’m on Facebook, just like 210 of my closest online friends. In the past five minutes, there have been about 100 “Good-bye America” status changes, several threats from peers of moving to Europe, Canada or Australia, and many thoughts on how the country will move forward as “socialist America.”

That’s all fine and dandy. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. But what’s disturbing is I’ve read more statements regarding the death of President-Elect Barack Obama or about him being a terrorist than I ever have wanted to. Granted, Texas is a red state; we all know that. But it’s not right to be a bigot.

The color of a person’s skin should not be a factor in this election. Let me repeat: the color of Obama’s skin should not be a factor in why you voted for or against him. Same thing with Sen. John McCain and his age. Disagreeing with Obama’s platform is one thing because that’s your right as an American to stand for what you believe in, but expressing hatred toward him for any reason is not patriotic.

I stand by my statement because hatred shouldn’t be prevailing in our country right now. If anything, it’s time throw our differences aside and unite, regardless if the candidate you voted for didn’t triumph. You might not agree with him and you might not be happy about it, but he’s the president-elect now. Accept it.

I consider myself a pretty moderate person politically. I’m not an extremist on either end — say what you will about that, I’ve heard it all before. But I did vote for a specific party, and unfortunately my party did not win. Was I disappointed? Yes. Did it facilitate feelings of wanting to move out of the country? Furthermore, did it cause me to call Barack Obama names? No, it didn’t.

I voted for John McCain because I felt my beliefs were better projected in him, not because I didn’t want Barack Obama in office. I’m proud that so many people our age are passionate about voting – it’s such a huge step in the right direction because back in 2004, the country was begging our generation to step up and vote. But what makes me upset is the amount of hate coming from this election.

It’s been an eye-opening experience to say the least. If anything, I encourage everyone to keep the passionate thoughts and feelings flowing. It’s what makes our country great. But our country is also great because of all of the different people we have within it. So choose to move past the hatred and move forward with your life, regardless if you’re a “Yes We Can” visionary or a Maverick.

Kirbie Johnson is a senior advertising and public relations major from Georgetown.