Allison Keim | The Chronicle
To many of us, it is so clear how we are divided. Girl or boy. Rich or poor. Republican or Democrat.
I feel that I am a very aware citizen. I know which societal issues concern me most, I know which political party I align with and I know I have done the research needed to back up my opinions. In recent times, something I have struggled to cope with is that while I do have such a clear vision of my beliefs, my peers think the exact opposite and I can’t understand where they are coming from.
I have seen multiple generations struggle with the division we see in our country right now. My mom discussed with me that even though her beliefs are so morally different from her friends, she can’t give up on the relationships she has had for over 20 years. For my grandparents, I see how they have given up on their friends and neighbors who are so passionately different, but are these boundaries healthy?
Online, I have seen a discussion about whether people use “boundaries” as an excuse to stay inside or avoid interacting with people with different perspectives. Now I understand if being around a person means constant political debate that is never moving in a positive direction, but not listening to the views of people different from you is not healthy.
I even think that within Gen Z, the generation that is thought to promote the most inclusivity, certain divisions are very clear. At Mason High School, I have heard people use the phrase “lib” derogatively, referencing people with more progressive views. On the other side, I hear people saying “Trumpies,” defining the more right side of politics. Someone’s views should not be used as an easy write-off for why you don’t like or maybe even hate them.
Personally, my friend group is not all aligned with the same political views. While this can feel isolating at times, I also know that if all my friends thought the same way, I would never be challenged. Being around people who just hype up what you already think you know doesn’t make your opinion superior; it makes it less tested.
At the end of the day, no one should put empathy aside for their political beliefs. No matter your political affiliation. Ignorantly putting all one’s faith into a certain candidate or party doesn’t allow you to see the other perspective.
This is very apparent in Washington, D.C., with the government shut down. People are being fed what they want to hear. Democrats are being told that they have to push back on healthcare and not cave into the Republican Party. Republicans are being told the entire stalemate is because of the Democratic Party. But lost in the crossfire are millions of Americans who are forced to work without pay, and Americans who have lost Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Without compromise, our democratic system can’t function to fulfill the needs of its citizens.
While it can feel almost impossible to understand someone’s politics, it is important to remember that we are all just people. We all feel emotions, we all want to feel safe, and we all want what is best for our nation. It is important that we set our partisan views aside every once in a while to hear what other people have to say. We need to listen and learn to love people who are different from us.
