Politics don't have to divide us
For the last several months, the presidential election has taken over news coverage and media production: we have been surrounded with division, arguments, name calling – and families on both sides of the political spectrum have sat around the kitchen table and worried over the future that is coming.
As politics have become increasingly black and white, many people have simplified the two parties as representatives of good and evil (with their side being good). I am only 21 years old, but from what I can tell, every election cycle brings a greater sentiment that the results will have the most extreme and dire consequences than ever before in American Politics.
Yet, every year, we find a way to survive the day-to-day and cherish the things that matter most to us.
Don’t get me wrong: the president is a huge deal, and the Oval Office has a huge effect on policies, the economy and human rights even with checks and balances in place.
I am not saying we shouldn’t share our opinions or fight for what we believe is right, and I’m not saying that the election results won’t impact marginalized or impoverished people, but we don’t have to let division define the day-to-day lives of the next four years.
Half of the country is highly disappointed and even angry already, and we don’t even know the results.
I would like to offer a more optimistic outlook: the value of our country is not solely defined by who the president is but rather, community, resilience and acts of kindness.
We need to remember most people in both parties want many of the same things: to be understood, respected and treated fairly, and to have a safe community.
One of the worst things the last decade will be remembered for is our political divide, and I believe this binary political perspective impedes our ability to be empathetic and tolerant.
When politics have the power to end friendships and splinter families, something is wrong.
It’s crazy that in a world full of misinformation and propaganda, our response to being challenged is not peaceful, thoughtful debate, but is to becomes defensive and rude.
We do ourselves a disservice by surrounding ourselves with only like-minded people (we already have enough of that from social media algorithms and the confirmation bias that dictates where we get our news from). We keep ourselves away from the truth.
We have to stop putting people into boxes once we know if they are red or blue. We have to abandon stereotypes and find a place at the table for all ideas. What happens at the national level is going to happen, and we can’t always control that. We can control how we treat our neighbors and give back to society.
If you’re disappointed by the results, turn instead to determination and remember that no matter what, we are still all Americans.
When we don’t allow politics, or the presidency, to define our relationships, we are more empathetic and well-rounded. We’re stronger together.
Comments