We can all agree upon the intense polarization America is currently experiencing. Every day, the news screams to us: "Good morning! Nike hired X for their new campaign, the Amazon stock rose X percent, and oh, right, everything, like I mean everything, sucks right now!" We are incapable of establishing a morning positivity mindset, or whatever trendy mantra we are told to follow when scrolling through Instagram graphics, without being interrupted by chaotic societal disputes.
Yes, the majority of these issues are extremely deep-rooted and require high-level structural changes in order to see much-needed change. Do not misread this as an oversimplification of the terrors of our nation. However, I'm not here to bash on candidates or review policies needing Queer Eye-level makeovers. We all get enough of that in opinion articles, podcasts, and, apparently, presidential debates.
On a macro level, all of this hurts. I feel immense pain for people directly affected by social injustice, coronavirus, and natural disasters. I cannot even begin to speak on these experiences, as my past few privileged months have consisted of accounting exams and virtual sorority rush. Yes, I've educated myself in this time by keeping up with the news and getting involved where I see fit, but I clearly cannot speak on the very valid feelings of these suffering individuals.
But this article, perhaps you can even label it as a clearing of conscience, is intended to focus on the micro-level of our societal polarization; less on the issues themselves, more on the division they cause.
I'm tired of walking on eggshells when discussing how last night's debate went, or how the pandemic is being handled, or regarding the latest-released report. These eggshells are altered based on who I am talking to, in hopes of not offending anyone who resides on either side of what feels like the post-parted Red Sea.
It saddens me to think about how much this political divide has altered our perceptions of one another, perhaps even before we say hello. I know people who support either side of the election, of course to varying degrees, who have shared stories with me regarding judgment. They judge others based on rumors, a bumper sticker on their car, or which news channel was on in their family's living room. These people are so quick to write-off someone with disagreeing viewpoints as a bad person based solely on this one potentially small component of their identity.
I'm not saying you have to agree with your opposing candidate's beliefs, buy their same bumper sticker, or switch to the news channel they watch. We are so quick to say, "I will never trust someone who supports "_canidate_" but are so eager to preach, "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
This poses the question: Who gets to decide where we draw the line between "opposer" and "neighbor"? Because guess what: you have opposing neighbors. They exist. So let's not practice hypocrisy here (which, ironically, we are so quick to condemn public figures for).
Give it a try. Try to be a loving, compassionate, understanding human being who gets to know what's underneath the surface, the bumper sticker, before jumping to any rash conclusions. Sure, you might go for coffee with this opposing neighbor and still strongly dislike the person. Maybe who they voted for, and what that means to them, is a foundational piece of who they are, and you just can't get on board with that. Fine. Move on.
Or, perhaps this coffee date reveals that you know very little about this opposer, this neighbor, and there is a lot more behind their decision than you noticed at first glance. You may never agree on which direction is left and what color is red, but you may both love watching your kids score a goal. You may both love a good potluck dinner before a big Cowboy's game. You might both love attending eighties karaoke bars.
See the problem is, we've abandoned our traditional sources of human connection and have solely retreated to political division. Politics and their outcomes are extremely important components of a functioning society, and I know as much as anyone how much work needs to be done. However, don't let the overbearing stress of our hostile political climate take away the joys of humanity. Priorities and balance are as important as ever.
To conclude: This is not a persuasion piece telling you to give up on politics or force yourself to fall in love with someone whom you share zero of the same values with. Rather, I'm simply inviting you to avoid judgment based on political views, at least initially. Most importantly, don't be a hypocrite. Don't call yourself a compassionate human if you are not willing to give someone a five-minute window to explain their why.
Don't be a hypocrite when you are angry at hypocritical politicians. Say hello to your neighbors, and dig just an inch deeper. Do not strictly see people as the person they vote for, ON EITHER SIDE.
to absolving judgment,
caroline hughes
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