THe NEed for Political discourse
by Kate Siegal
November 18, 2020
I managed to deliver the last few lines of my speech with the emotional integrity that I had practiced in spite of the incessant foot tapping, threatening to drown out my words. I looked Senator Susan Collins in the eyes and pleaded with her to consider my point of view, not in hopes of agreement, but in hopes of a conversation. That is all I asked for. What I got was a blunt refusal to discuss my viewpoint. I have never been more ashamed and embarrassed of my country, a country in which the people we give political power can’t even consider the views of their constituents. The threatening problem is that civil conversation regarding our country is becoming increasingly rare. What was once a peaceful family gathering becomes a political war that seeks to tear loved ones apart. Everyone has that one relative that is the opposite of what they believe, perhaps conservative or liberal. Political conversations are now approached with reluctance and anxiety until conversation becomes non-existent. If we can’t even manage to talk about pressing issues, how can we fix them? Ultimately, the political polarization in America has created a climate in which controversial issues threaten to tear our nation apart; and, we must learn how to have civil political discourse in order to mend the present and future.
Self-Segregation
The dread that fills me when confronted with a political argument is shared by many Americans. Zaid Jilani says that more and more Americans feel that, “It is stressful and frustrating” to talk about politics with those you disagree with. These emotions create a society in which, when presented with disagreement, individuals will polarize further. By finding like-minded individuals who align with their political beliefs. This natural human pattern called tribalism can be seen in high school movies. The jocks are friends with jocks and the nerds are friends with nerds. According to the New York Times, “Liberals and conservatives prefer to associate with and live near their fellow partisans”. This tendency to self-segregate creates demographic divisions that contribute to the polarization of America. Perhaps even more concerning is that these divisions foster animosity and hatred which is in direct opposition to the respect that people must have for one another. The New York Times also reports that “many people would be displeased if their child married someone of a different political party”. Suddenly people with different beliefs become the enemy and a war is created. The key to understanding is empathy, however, empathy is inconceivable when we are separated.
Seeing the Other Side
This utter lack of conversation has created our current situation which has turned us into firm, rigid individuals that refuse to consider a conflicting view. According to Pew Research, “The overall portion of Americans who have expressed consistently conservative or liberal viewpoints has doubled from 10-21% in the past two decades.” This means that there is a serious lack of political plasticity and individuals who once considered and even voted for issues on the other side, have become rigid in their beliefs. These extremely conservative and liberal beliefs are unprecedented and are on display in our government. Most of these intense partisans believe that the opposing parties viewpoints “are so misguided that they may threaten the nation’s well-being.” Political decisions that were once based on compromise, are now fueled by the defeat of the enemy. Winning the war is valued above a treaty. And, each side brings their unyielding political beliefs as ammunition. For instance, the longest government shutdown in history ended in late January, 2019 and it lasted for 35 days. This occurred because Congress could not agree on a budget, which contained capital for Donald Trump’s vision of a wall. Our inability to engage in civil discourse from a personal to a national level has had detrimental effects on our progression. Shockingly, the 112th Congress passed fewer laws than any other dating back to the 1800’s. Without being willing to meet in the middle and compromise on issues, disputes continue, and debates are never ending. This hurts America as a whole because when those in power can not agree, change is halted, and democracy has failed.
Not an Identity
In America it seems as if politics is about identity. Many find comfort in becoming part of a political group, and the ideas become an identity. The strength of this partisan bond amplifies political polarization and causes people to stick firmly to their beliefs. For some, compromising with another political party is admitting defeat and betraying their identity. Sticking firmly to their beliefs is an argument that many people use to justify their unwillingness to compromise. However, this reason is not valid enough. Our country is in World War 3. A political war. If we can not learn to listen to one another, the country will constantly be in a stalemate. And, the polarization of America will continue to widen, driving people to despise one another.
The solution is for my generation to discuss controversial political issues. And, to force the confrontation that will make a difference. If we can learn how to respect and listen compassionately, the political separation that exists will grow smaller. What we currently lack is the ability to listen and have empathy for the views of others. Find someone that has a different political belief and ask them questions. Ignore intolerance and strive to understand their point of view. The opposing political party is not the enemy. By doing this our generation can become the one that will create change and agree on decisions that encompass the wants of the entirety of America. Don’t let our country be overcome by political disagreement, break the mold and become the new generation. The generation that listens.
November 18, 2020
I managed to deliver the last few lines of my speech with the emotional integrity that I had practiced in spite of the incessant foot tapping, threatening to drown out my words. I looked Senator Susan Collins in the eyes and pleaded with her to consider my point of view, not in hopes of agreement, but in hopes of a conversation. That is all I asked for. What I got was a blunt refusal to discuss my viewpoint. I have never been more ashamed and embarrassed of my country, a country in which the people we give political power can’t even consider the views of their constituents. The threatening problem is that civil conversation regarding our country is becoming increasingly rare. What was once a peaceful family gathering becomes a political war that seeks to tear loved ones apart. Everyone has that one relative that is the opposite of what they believe, perhaps conservative or liberal. Political conversations are now approached with reluctance and anxiety until conversation becomes non-existent. If we can’t even manage to talk about pressing issues, how can we fix them? Ultimately, the political polarization in America has created a climate in which controversial issues threaten to tear our nation apart; and, we must learn how to have civil political discourse in order to mend the present and future.
Self-Segregation
The dread that fills me when confronted with a political argument is shared by many Americans. Zaid Jilani says that more and more Americans feel that, “It is stressful and frustrating” to talk about politics with those you disagree with. These emotions create a society in which, when presented with disagreement, individuals will polarize further. By finding like-minded individuals who align with their political beliefs. This natural human pattern called tribalism can be seen in high school movies. The jocks are friends with jocks and the nerds are friends with nerds. According to the New York Times, “Liberals and conservatives prefer to associate with and live near their fellow partisans”. This tendency to self-segregate creates demographic divisions that contribute to the polarization of America. Perhaps even more concerning is that these divisions foster animosity and hatred which is in direct opposition to the respect that people must have for one another. The New York Times also reports that “many people would be displeased if their child married someone of a different political party”. Suddenly people with different beliefs become the enemy and a war is created. The key to understanding is empathy, however, empathy is inconceivable when we are separated.
Seeing the Other Side
This utter lack of conversation has created our current situation which has turned us into firm, rigid individuals that refuse to consider a conflicting view. According to Pew Research, “The overall portion of Americans who have expressed consistently conservative or liberal viewpoints has doubled from 10-21% in the past two decades.” This means that there is a serious lack of political plasticity and individuals who once considered and even voted for issues on the other side, have become rigid in their beliefs. These extremely conservative and liberal beliefs are unprecedented and are on display in our government. Most of these intense partisans believe that the opposing parties viewpoints “are so misguided that they may threaten the nation’s well-being.” Political decisions that were once based on compromise, are now fueled by the defeat of the enemy. Winning the war is valued above a treaty. And, each side brings their unyielding political beliefs as ammunition. For instance, the longest government shutdown in history ended in late January, 2019 and it lasted for 35 days. This occurred because Congress could not agree on a budget, which contained capital for Donald Trump’s vision of a wall. Our inability to engage in civil discourse from a personal to a national level has had detrimental effects on our progression. Shockingly, the 112th Congress passed fewer laws than any other dating back to the 1800’s. Without being willing to meet in the middle and compromise on issues, disputes continue, and debates are never ending. This hurts America as a whole because when those in power can not agree, change is halted, and democracy has failed.
Not an Identity
In America it seems as if politics is about identity. Many find comfort in becoming part of a political group, and the ideas become an identity. The strength of this partisan bond amplifies political polarization and causes people to stick firmly to their beliefs. For some, compromising with another political party is admitting defeat and betraying their identity. Sticking firmly to their beliefs is an argument that many people use to justify their unwillingness to compromise. However, this reason is not valid enough. Our country is in World War 3. A political war. If we can not learn to listen to one another, the country will constantly be in a stalemate. And, the polarization of America will continue to widen, driving people to despise one another.
The solution is for my generation to discuss controversial political issues. And, to force the confrontation that will make a difference. If we can learn how to respect and listen compassionately, the political separation that exists will grow smaller. What we currently lack is the ability to listen and have empathy for the views of others. Find someone that has a different political belief and ask them questions. Ignore intolerance and strive to understand their point of view. The opposing political party is not the enemy. By doing this our generation can become the one that will create change and agree on decisions that encompass the wants of the entirety of America. Don’t let our country be overcome by political disagreement, break the mold and become the new generation. The generation that listens.