Campus Voices are written by members of the Elon community, not ENN staff members, and represent their informed opinions. Campus Voices and other opinions content are separate from news coverage.

I woke up this past Wednesday to the same surprising news as my 300 million fellow Americans: Donald Trump had defeated Hillary Clinton in the previous day’s electoral contest. As a Republican, I was proud to see my party maintain control of both chambers of Congress and I remain cautiously optimistic that a Trump administration can effectively lead our nation.

What I was also surprised by that morning was being called a “racist” and a “bigot” on my way to class for wearing a pin voicing support for the party I voted for while exercising a civic duty that we are all so privileged to have.

It would be a lie if I said being called those names by fellow students didn’t hurt a little. That said, I could write endlessly about the hate that was flung at Republicans on Wednesday or about some of the detestable comments made by my party’s candidate throughout this election, but that gets us nowhere. What is most important now is exposing ourselves to those with whom we disagree with and not letting the anger and fear paralyze us. The easiest path we can take now is one of disengagement, partisanship and hate. I am asking that as students we take the more difficult path of respectfully discussing, disagreeing and compromising.

At this wonderful university that process is extremely easy. There are hundreds of groups on campus filled with thousands of welcoming, passionate students who could talk your ear off about their passion. If you are a climate change skeptic, go to a Sierra Club meeting. If you have never been to the CREDE, go have your voice heard. If you are not a member of Greek Life, go to a Panhellenic or an Interfraternity council meeting. If you are a Democrat, go to a College Republicans meeting. If you are a Republican, go to a College Democrats meeting. Get out of your comfort zone and engage in thoughtful and constructive conversations with your peers.

Disagreement among students is to be expected after such a contentious election, but this does not mean we cannot civilly challenge each other’s ideas to create a stronger, more open America.