I was raised in a family that liked to discuss (more like argue) politics. My mother was a Republican and my father was a Democrat and the rest of the family was similarly split. You can imagine the discussions that ensued. But here's the thing: no one ever got mad or insulted if you didn't agree with their point of view. Personal attacks were unheard of. Our so-called arguments were more good nature bantering rather than an attempt to persuade others that they were wrong and we were right. Beliefs were not set in stone. In fact, if my father thought you believed the way he did about a certain policy or politician, he would switch sides and argue the opposite point. It was fun. A family tradition of sorts.
And then everything changed--for the worse. I blame the 24-hour news cycle and social media. We now live in such a polarized nation that it is almost life-threatening (or at least friendship-threatening) to discuss politics with anyone who doesn't share your views. If you value your relationships with family and friends, you learn to keep your mouth shut.
Politics has joined the ranks of religion and sex as a topic of discussion to avoid in polite society. It makes for some awkward conversations at times. Offense can be taken for even an innocuous statement of fact. For we are now living in a world where there are "alternative" facts and "truth is not truth." It causes me so much distress that I try to avoid watching political news on T.V. or reading about it on-line. Forget Facebook and Twitter comments.
I want to be informed but not at the expense of my mental and emotional health. The last straw was the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings and supplemental FBI investigation. From now on, the only thing I have to say about politics is this: VOTE.
And then everything changed--for the worse. I blame the 24-hour news cycle and social media. We now live in such a polarized nation that it is almost life-threatening (or at least friendship-threatening) to discuss politics with anyone who doesn't share your views. If you value your relationships with family and friends, you learn to keep your mouth shut.
Politics has joined the ranks of religion and sex as a topic of discussion to avoid in polite society. It makes for some awkward conversations at times. Offense can be taken for even an innocuous statement of fact. For we are now living in a world where there are "alternative" facts and "truth is not truth." It causes me so much distress that I try to avoid watching political news on T.V. or reading about it on-line. Forget Facebook and Twitter comments.
I want to be informed but not at the expense of my mental and emotional health. The last straw was the Kavanaugh confirmation hearings and supplemental FBI investigation. From now on, the only thing I have to say about politics is this: VOTE.
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