The holidays, a time to be grateful for what you have, enjoy some earned downtime, and see those who you might not see as much as you’d like. With extended family all around at the dinner table, everything is going well, until that one person starts to talk too much, killing the mood. In the latest presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump received 49.9 percent of the popular vote against Vice President Kamala Harris, who received 48.3 percent (a 1.6 percent difference). In six of the seven swing states with either a senate or governor race, five of those elections went to the Democratic candidate, despite Trump winning each of those states in the presidential race. While it is not perfectly even, it is clear now more than ever, that there is a near 50/50 split in the United States population on political views and affiliation. This split does not just cause regional differences but divides up families as well. We at the Tower advise to not let politics take away from good experiences and love for those around you.
While differences of opinion and practices have existed forever, the polarization of politics is more extreme than previously seen before. External components, particularly the media, have driven people further and further apart by normalizing the demonization of opposing views on either side. Bipartisan respect is a practice that has been widely lost nationally but can be domestically achievable if you allow yourself to listen to others. Instead of looking for a fight, look for a conversation. Whether it be in meetings, debates or other events, civilness between opposing politicians has been the norm in the United States until recent election cycles, and can still be done at home.
Politicians will come and go, and elections will be won and lost, but one thing that will remain constant, as long as you allow it, is family. We at The Tower ask that you value your family over politics throughout this holiday season and beyond. It is important to remember that everyone has the same goal: to do what’s best for themselves and the people around them. It does not make someone a bad person because their opinion on the betterment of society is different from yours.
We at The Tower emphasize that politics should not interfere with relationships, yet we can also acknowledge that elections impact everyone in different ways, regardless of political affiliation. Holding such importance, it is nearly impossible to ignore election results and recognize the change that it will bring, making it unrealistic to avoid talking about politics altogether. Since the two parties in the US are so polar right now, conversations about politics are likely to provoke arguments and trigger emotion, leading to some uncomfortable interactions with friends and family. In the heat of the moment, ideological differences can seem major and create distance between loved ones. But, it cannot be forgotten that there is more to people than their political views. In our two-party system, roughly half of the people you meet will inevitably vote differently from you. However, what you can change is how you react to differing viewpoints.
We at The Tower encourage everyone to speak their mind authentically, but with that comes the need to respect others’ views in the same way. Expressing and educating yourself on politics is important, but so is your family. If you are engaging in a political conversation with a loved one and tension is rising, remind yourself the argument is not worth burning bridges over. Although it is difficult, it is possible to agree to disagree and enjoy the holidays with your family, regardless of their political standpoint.
