Changing the Way We Talk About Politics

In the days of the early Republic, a man, elected by the people, took office during an extremely tumultuous time. He faced international aggression, border issues, and domestic unrest. To make matters worse, one of his top advisors was a member of the opposite party and staunchly opposed his beliefs. These two went at it on a daily basis arguing over the purpose for the new government. This man was John Adams, the second President of the United States, and his advisor was Thomas Jefferson, Adams’ Vice President, 3rd President, and writer of the Declaration of Independence. Despite their differing opinions, Adams and Jefferson died very close friends, while continuing their political opposition to each other. Today the nation faces seemingly insurmountable political division, and many in the media have said that this level of partisanship is rivaled by none in history. The truth is, political tension has always been a part of America’s history, but it is how we interact and channel that tension that has changed.

It has been said been said a thousand times by every person in the country, “the two things you never talk about with your friends is politics and religion”, the implication being that those topics destroy relationships. The guy that mentions the word government at a party is always immediately ostracized, because that will just ruin everyone’s fun. It seems as though in this day and age there are two extremes. One is either afraid of talking politics or he is so confident in his beliefs that he will force them onto people. It has gotten to the point, where you can’t bring up a debated issue without someone screaming and yelling, or throwing out slanderous labels. It became extremely evident during the election, people were claiming to cut all ties with friends and family, who admitted to voting for President Trump. People in this country have actually said that they will no longer speak with someone, who holds opposing views. This is absolutely and utterly ridiculous. Somewhere, in the almost 250 years of American Independence, we have lost the ability to differ in opinion without breaking into civil war.

It’s not that people hold firmer beliefs than before, and it’s not that the stakes have been raised. People have always been stubborn, and political matters have always been of vital importance. Something else has elevated political discussion from public discourse to a full on ideological slaughter. People are now much more willing to destroy a person, in the name of whatever cause. Instead of being obsessed with proving a certain opinion wrong, we have become obsessed with explaining how that opinion makes you a bad person. Instead of explaining why someone might hold a certain opinion, we would rather label them a racist, or a bigot, or a Godless sinner. The purpose of debate has turned from “my idea is better than yours” to “I am a better person than you”. People now judge their and other’s self-worth by the political opinions that they hold, causing us all to degrade and dehumanize each other.

The solution to this is not a difficult one, and all it involves is a shift in paradigm. We simply need to add a little respect in our lives. We need to see each other as people again. Every person has a different background and history, which will cause them to hold certain beliefs. We, as a society, have chosen to ignore that background and take others at face value. Before jumping to conclusions, we must acknowledge the fact that we all have a different experiences and what is important to one may not be important to the other. Respect each other enough to know that there is more to life than who someone voted for in the last election, and move on. A little perspective will go a long way in this world. So before labeling someone based on their beliefs, think “is this opinion really worth ending this relationship, or should I keep yelling at grandma over EPA regulations. “