A Muslim's reaction to Trump victory: I'll be the best American I can be

It's been almost two weeks since we all found out Donald Trump would be our 45th president.

The dust has settled. I can finally think clearly.

I am a minority. I am a Muslim who was born and raised in DuPage County, and I am a woman. I went through a wave of emotions once I learned Donald Trump will be our next president.

First, I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. How did almost the entire United States Electoral College map turn red in favor of Republicans? I honestly had no idea there were that many Trump supporters. Apparently, I was not in touch with many fellow Americans, and this is a shame.

Second, I was scared. Scared for my family, scared for young minority kids in hopes they don't encounter bullying, and scared of what the future holds.

Third, and now, I'm determined. I am absolutely determined to be the best American I can possibly be, and to show all my neighbors - across the street and across our nation - how awesome Muslims and minorities are. And how incredible we can all be together.

I truly hope Trump changes his stance on building walls. Whether or not he does, I know for sure that I respect and love all Americans - regardless of whether they're Muslim, African American, Hispanic, Asian, part of the LGBT community, disabled, journalists, women, any minority, or simply white.

I love all Americans because there's a sense of unity we share across our amazing country that I hope is never lost, even though we're forced to divide every four years when it's time to vote.

Now more than ever, it is important for us all as Americans to stand together and stand up for one another. If we see bullying, it will only continue unless we stand up against it and stand up for one another. If we let bullying and discrimination slide, or ignore it, it won't go away. It will only get worse and soon it will be knocking on everyone's doors.

We must, as a nation, condemn discrimination and encourage peace and unity.

Many younger Obama supporters like myself are surrounded by the company of other Obama supporters. We were ecstatic when Obama became the United States president, and it's incredibly hard for any future president to live up to his footprint. And it's incredibly hard for us to give Trump a chance. I will certainly try, and I hope he surpasses my expectations.

However, after speaking with many members of the older generation - first-generation immigrants who came to the United States back in the 1960s and 1970s - I realize we Obama supporters are somewhat scared because, thankfully, we haven't seen as much discrimination in our lives as some elders have.

And perhaps that's why the first-generation immigrants had a milder reaction to Trump's victory. To them, Trump is just another Republican who got elected. They have seen worse and experienced worse discrimination. Let's all hope and pray this country continues to get better and better every day, and with every president.

I am hopeful our country will continue to move forward and continue to be a wonderful melting pot of ethnicities, beliefs, values and love. And if anyone decides to take it even one step back, I know there are enough of us who love America so much that we'll always continue to push our country forward.

America will always be beautiful - from sea to shining sea.

• Hafsa Mahmood, a Naperville native and Chicago resident, is a Marketing Communications consultant, writer, founder of the blog Whippples.com and a mom.