This presidential election has been plagued by misinformation, manipulated narratives and extreme divides. The outcome has left many, including some of us in The Runner staff, feeling vulnerable and uncertain about what the next four years hold. The weight of this election goes beyond issues and policies—it has become a battle between values and morals.  

We have heard many people say, “don’t let politics ruin your relationships,” to smooth over disagreements and awkward conversations. The Runner staff disagrees with this sentiment. In fact, we believe that especially in this election, it is absolutely valid for politics affect relationships.  

We are in a time where voting for Trump wasn’t just voting for a candidate, it was aligning yourself with his morals and views on human rights. If a candidate who so openly stands against human rights is not a dealbreaker for you, then you should not be surprised that it has affected a relationship.  

This year’s election became a battle between basic human rights, a battle for inclusion and equality. When talking about voting for someone who has continuously made racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments throughout his campaign, we are not just talking about policy differences, we are talking about moral differences.  

Voting for a candidate like Trump, who has repeatedly used his platform to spread misinformation and attack marginalized communities, is an attack against those communities themselves.  

When voting for a convicted felon, who can’t even vote himself yet had the audacity to put his name on the ballot, you are voting away basic human decency. It is not okay for your politics to interfere with anyone’s human rights. 

It is exhausting to fight for rights that should not even be questioned.