In the same way that the world watched as Britain tore itself apart on 23rd June, so we in the UK have watched the US election results roll in with the same sort of disbelief others felt when we made our own frustrated anti-establishment voices heard. 

The parallels in the election of Donald Trump are so similar to our vote to leave the EU that it is shocking that our neighbours across the pond have failed to learn anything from the divisive atmosphere we have dealt with over the last 5 months. 

The following days after Brexit saw outraged conversations between friends outside pubs as we tried to reconcile the early summer sunshine with the feeling that the world had fallen in on us;
families were torn in two; the value of the pound dropped to its lowest value in decades; and most disturbingly of all there was a sharp rise in hate crimes, mostly directed at Eastern European and Muslim people. 

The rise of Donald Trump has spewed more vitriol than that of Gove, Johnson and Farage put together (which is as impressive as it is disgusting). He has insisted a wall will be built along the Mexican border to keep out Hispanic immigrants and that Mexico will pay for, but not before he's deported 11 million people he sees as "criminals". Women have been a target, not only of his campaign, but seemingly his entire career, after videos emerged of his endorsement of violent sexual assault as 'locker room talk'. Misogyny, islamophobia, racism and xenophobia have been key themes in his road to the White House. And all because they couldn't stand the idea of an accomplished, intelligent woman holding power. 

Now I know that Hillary was not the right candidate for the Democratic Party to put forward for this election. In an increasingly selfish world, someone who was the very epitome of the establishment minus the ability to charm a majority would not stand up against a man who has the oratory skills of the most impressive of public speakers. Any Hollywood movie will tell you that there is nothing an audience like more than someone who can really get them riled. And that nothing is more terrifying than an ambitious person with a Y chromosome. 

Regardless of your feelings towards Hillary though, she was clearly the most qualified, the most sensible and the most diplomatically sound choice to take up the 45th Presidency. Now we are left with the same acidic taste we in the UK had in our mouth on the morning of 24th June and the reverberating sound of people asking "what now?"

It's not just in the USA that this question is being asked. The gravity of this decision is being felt the world over and we must once again make sense of this new world order. This was particularly highlighted to me when my fiancé asked me this morning "what can I do? I feel useless" and all I could reply with was "Be kind. The world needs kindness right now". I have learned from Brexit that misplaced rage brings no good. Arguing with people on Facebook and Twitter, calling those that voted for it morons and idiots and racists will do nothing more than fuel the hatred. We must act and our actions must reflect the values we feel we have lost: humanity, kindness, understanding. 

Which is how, in collaboration with the magnificent Laura Croudace, we are forming an action that will promote togetherness, justice and equality in a way that I know I did not in my post-Brexit aggression. In the USA there will be charities that need support more than ever before. 20m people are in danger of losing their "Obama-Care" leaving some of the most vulnerable people in American society without access to affordable healthcare. We may see progress in reproductive choice significantly derailed, an increase in police violence towards people of colour and borders wholly closed to Hispanic and Muslim immigrants.

But we can act and we can make a difference. Even if we cannot affect the outcome, we can limit the damages. Please join myself and Laura in promoting US-based charities who are going to fight the hate and bigotry, and ensure all people have opportunities regardless of race, religion, gender or political beliefs. We have started a campaign called #DonateNotHate and will be aiming to raise £5,000 for 5 US charities. They are: Planned Parenthood, Humans Rights Campaign, Border Angels, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Council on American – Islamic Relations. 

Whether you chose to make a donation, raise awareness or just learn about how they're making a difference, positive action is key here.

Today and in the coming weeks, months and even years, we must make the effort to show a little kindness and who better than those already in the business of kindness to start that difference? We as charity people can lead the way and support our American cousins as they navigate their way through their own political upheaval.