How do you build bridges in a political divide?

Donald J. Trump is the new president-elect of the U.S. and the people are divided. While some reveled in his victory, others have taken to the internet to express their derision and concerns, resulting in one of the most divisive political climates in American History.

Friends and neighbors have become enemies, even lovers have had falling outs.

After tracking geotagged comments and hashtags from X, formerly known as Twitter, Wildcasino.ag created a map of where people were breaking up the most due to the election results. At the top of the list was Pennsylvania with New York ranking in third place.

On Nov. 6, a California-based healthcare organization sent out an email blast with the subject line, “Mental health expert available to speak on post-election trauma.”

New Yorkers were in crisis mode with several democratic officials expressing their disappointment and offense, while others, although not in favor of the election results, reinforced their confidence in our political system.

“The love we have for our country is not dependent upon whether or not we like the president,” local assemblyman, Jeffrey Dinowitz, told The Press. “I am disappointed that there were so many people who voted for him, but the people spoke, the voters voted, and I don't like what they did, but that's our democracy.”

So, what does Trump for president mean for America?

The POTUS’ order of business, titled Agenda 47, lists 20 points Trump hopes to accomplish while in office. Among them: stopping, what Trump calls, the “migrant crime epidemic,” cutting federal funding for any school pushing critical race theory, “radical” gender ideology and other “inappropriate” racial, sexual or political content on our children, and he also plans to carry out the largest deportation in American history.

America was built on the backs of immigrants. Without them, there would be no railroads, no pizza, no Chinese takeout – a cuisine which, in a recent study, was ranked number one in New York State. Imagine an America without eggrolls and fried rice.

But in all seriousness, people are worried.

While the migrant influx in New York City has resulted in isolated criminal offenses and an increase in people sleeping on the street, a mass deportation could mean tragedy for many families.

On Oct. 26, the Associated Press reported on Trump’s previous presidency from 2016 to 2020, and his immigration policy then, which according to the AP, separated about 5,000 children -- 1,400 of which are yet confirmed to be reunited.

Imagine the fear of being a child, lost in a strange place and separated from the only thing you know.

On the other hand, Trump plans to end outsourcing and turn America into a “manufacturing superpower,” which spoke to many blue-collar workers, especially ones who saw their jobs be taken from them and shipped overseas.

But what’s even more stark is the animosity, the lack of understanding, the lack of compassion.

What happened to caring for your neighbor? Does a firefighter ask who you voted for before rescuing you from a burning building? Does a doctor ask your political affiliation before performing that life-saving surgery? Would you ask someone if they were a Trump or Harris supporter before pulling them out of dangerous tide?

When 9/11 happened, the consensus across America was, “You’re either with us or against us,” but many had reservations and believed in government conspiracies – were they traitors?

Politics are a confounding world where morality seems to have stumbled its innocent little head. As ludicrous as it may seem, this climate recalls the case of Sean Combs aka P. Diddy, where many people still enjoy his music despite the overwhelming allegations of the sex crimes against him. How do you separate the art from the artist? How do you separate policy from humanity?

“In these times of uncertainty, it’s vital that we come together, regardless of political affiliation,” Bronx Borough President, Vanessa Gibson wrote in an email blast following the election results. “Our strength lies in our unity, and we must not allow divisiveness to distract us from the work at hand."

Let us not be distracted from our work at hand. Let us strive for what we believe is fair, whatever side that may be. Let us remember that our friends were our friends for a reason and that our parents did a great job raising us, despite who they voted for.

Let us release the tension, animosity and anger that has separated us this election year and let us come together. Reach out, listen, and give unconditionally, if just for a day. Let us be selfless and remember there are people struggling to survive, running from bombs and wondering when they will get their next meal. We should be so privileged to bother over a democratic election.

Be kind. Be grateful. Be thankful that we can vote in another four years.