We’ve lost our humanity as a country and it’s so sad.
The thing that prompted this post was a passing comment someone made to me a while back that gave me major pause. After a little bit of (albeit painfully stupid) political bantering, I apologized and she said, “It’s OK, you and I are both passionate about [politics].” She didn’t mean it as a dig in any way and I didn’t take it as one. However, it got me thinking about how my Internet persona is portraying something that is perhaps completely untrue, but allow me to back up for a moment.
Being well-informed is an American’s duty,
and I am intentional about consuming well-balanced news on a daily basis (which, granted, is getting more and more difficult– Don’t believe me? Read Them by never-Trumper Senator Ben Sasse). Because of the information I consume, I sometimes will clarify things on my social media platforms because, I gotta tell ya, most of the people who are very vocal about politics and current events haven’t a CLUE what they’re saying.
Internet personae and actual personae are (hopefully) quite different.
My Instagram followers, for example, consider me a bit of a resource on current events and I try to provide good information to them. However, being well informed and being passionate about something are two different things.
In the past four years, and especially in the past year, I have known of people to consume more news than ever before. They might turn on CNN or Fox while they’re working from home or listen to talk radio when they’re preparing dinner. Let me reiterate–being well-informed is any American’s duty. But, when people focus solely on who’s in the White House or what county has which Covid restrictions, they’ve missed the point.
Politicians work for us.
They’re not celebrities. And honestly? Their day-to-day doings don’t affect us that much.
That’s right. Your every day life will look eerily similar to today on January 21. And guess what? There’s nothing you can do about who is/is not in the White House. Instead of consuming hours upon hours of political commentary, I would encourage you to think about the things that you can control in your life and let go of the things you can’t. So many people have said that they’ve had crippling anxiety about the presidential election.. Why? Why are you letting something that has very little bearing on your day-to-day life take such a toll on your psyche?
While going to protests or posting something alluding to a headline that you read might have its merits, I would encourage you to think about the good it’s doing. We’re living in a deeply divided time and, while I intend on continuing to provide good information, I do not want to contribute to the division.
Focus on home
No matter your state of life, there are always wonderful changes that can be made in your very own home. For me, that means providing a good home for my dogs while we have time together. It means taking the extra time to cook a delicious meal for a date night in or keeping things organized, which contributes my own sanity (thus making me nicer to others). It also means dropping off an extra loaf of sourdough to a neighbor or dragging in an empty trash can on trash day for someone else.
Make changes locally
You can always make improvements to your local communities and I would encourage you to seek them out. Is there an area that is particularly tempting to litter bugs? Maybe it’s time for YOU (yes, you) to take a trash bag and gloves and fix it. Is there a need at your local homeless shelter for socks (it’s always socks…)? That’s nothing a few clicks on Amazon can’t fix. What about political issues in your local community that are actually affecting you? Call your elected representatives. Then call them some more. The Montgomery County Council has to be very sick of hearing from me because I’ve been badgering them about restaurant closings.
Join a group
I purposely made this vague because the group can be any number of things. I think a large part of the problem with the hyper focus on politics is that it has replaced people’s sense of identity. I am first and foremost any number of things (Christian, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, girlfriend, Junior League member, history nerd, craft beer drinker), before I am a Republican. Keep politics in its place.
If you haven’t taken a hiatus from social media, follow people that you disagree with politically.
It’s no secret that I’m a C0n53rv@t1v3 (Yes, I’m avoiding AI silencing me, hence the weird spelling) but I have to say that I find myself learning more from liberals’ books and media that I consume. The point of news, social media, etc. is not to prove to yourself how right you are. When you see people as people (and not political opponents), you start to look at them in a more charitable way. In our current climate, it’s so easy to dismiss someone that you disagree with, which brings me to my next point.
Assume the best in people (and help others assume the best in you!)
The overwhelming majority of people don’t suck. In fact, when you get to know them, most are pretty great. I think one major issue with social media is the ability to only share certain aspects of life. Some people I know ONLY ever post about the latest headline they saw on CNN or Life Site News. You’re much more than your political leanings (I hope). If you’re a share-er, share other aspects of your life too!
If you can’t wrap your mind around how someone could have possibly voted for Trump, remember that the overwhelming majority of Trump supporters aren’t, in fact, racist (though there are some) or combative (though there are some) or storming the Capitol (though there were some). Likewise, if you can’t wrap your mind around the fact that some people voted for Biden, remember that the overwhelming majority of Biden supporters aren’t, in fact, wanting to kill cops (though there are some), burning down cities (though some were) or attempting to storm the Senate chambers during certain Supreme Court nominees’ confirmations (though some were).