It used to be that presidential campaigns happened, rhetoric escalated and votes would be cast. Then would come the election itself. We would all take a collective breath, see the results, and accept our new president. Then we moved on with our lives.

In our current day, if our opinion differs from another’s, we strike out rather than debate like we used to. We are not all either Marxists or fascists. Most people have beliefs that are somewhere in the middle. Many tend to lean one way or another on particular issues that matter to them and their families. Everyone has their own priorities, opinions and worries. Everyone lives in their own way and has their own perspectives. Your ride-or-die issue is unlikely to be mine.

It used to be completely fine to disagree. High schools and colleges used to be places of debate and for learning each other’s opinions while forming your own. It’s very healthy to have differing opinions, and to know that finding common ground in our differences is important too. This is why each of us gets a vote when changes to our government arise. Over the course of a few elections, so much has changed.

Shelter in place orders and post-election school closures have replaced that healthy discord. Now, many are reluctant to share anything with friends, colleagues or family without fear of retaliation or cancellation. Our fear and anger has now outweighed the importance of wanting to find that common ground. You hear stories about how people react to those who don’t share the same views as they do. Church members have reported going for each other’s throats. People have been kicked off flights for wearing the “wrong” election hat. Election ballots have been burned to prevent the “wrong” option from getting the vote.

Is this seriously what our elections and our country have come to? The Founding Fathers created our foundations of government so the people would always have a voice, and so that our government could hear what changes we want to see for our futures. We are better than the divided masses we are turning into, who would rather tear down our neighbors than try to understand why their opinion might be different from ours.

Now that this election has concluded, take a step back. Just breathe. No matter what happens down the road, we are all going to be OK. The president of the United States isn’t an omnipotent Marvel supervillain who alone controls the nation with an iron fist. That person is occupying the executive seat chosen by the people, for the people, in the house of the people. They don’t have sweeping powers to round immigrants up into camps. They can’t point their fingers and send political dissidents to prison. They are one part of the three government branches that were made to work together for the people.

We are a nation of laws, with a Constitution of checks and balances. Everything you might be fearful of cannot come to pass. Your fear means you are still falling for campaign tactics. Let’s all stop pointing out our differences and ask what is wrong with our country. If we are so afraid, let’s instead work together like we used to, and find balance and common ground. We can unite as Americans rather than fight one another over ideology.

There is always a way to come together, even after an election that is heavily disagreed upon. Now is the time to rise above the hate and turn it into something more constructive. There is nothing to be afraid of. And certainly nothing to hate each other for.