Every year, college students worry about getting interrogated with the same old questions that no one wants to answer on Thanksgiving such as,
'Are you still single?'
'Did you gain weight?'
'How are your classes going?'
And the dreaded, 'What are your plans after college?'
This year, that anxiety will sprout from a very different conversation. Got an uncle that’s a proud Trump supporter, or a cousin ready to shun anyone that didn’t vote for Clinton? If so, you may be worried about a real life twitter war erupting right across the dinner table this Thursday. Luckily, there are a number of ways to navigate Thanksgiving dinner this year (without drinking yourself unconscious):
1. No politics at the dinner table
One option is to unanimously decide not to talk about the election. But I mean, how can you not? Unless you plan to also dodge mentioning any current events or entertainment in the US, you're going to have trouble finding a topic of conversation that doesn't trail back to the election in some way.
This would mean no talking about Broadway
No mention of celebrities or public figures
You'd probably have to stay away from talking about music in general, actually
Don't even ask the other college or high school students at the table what they've been up to
And whatever you do, don't turn on the news
Maybe we should all just stare at our food?
2. Prepare some neutral topics to discuss
For once, discussing which classes you're taking may actually be preferred. Take joy in making plans for the upcoming holidays together and discussing the crazy lines for Black Friday. Find a unified topic to discuss such as football, the food, the cute babies, anything.
3. Welcome the debate
If, despite all of your preplanned maneuvers, the dreaded conversation still comes up, that's not necessarily a horrible thing!
The liberals in your family may not feel comfortable ignoring the divide at the table. They may feel that doing so is the same as condoning a vote that stands to deprive minority rights. After all, it’s one thing to ignore the banter on your Facebook, it’s another to ignore how all those in your family targeted by the president-elect may be feeling.
It’s important for everyone in the US to be having these conversations, especially with others that disagree with your political stance. Discussing your point of view with others, and hearing theirs is a great start to unifying the current divide of our nation. What better place to start healing that divide than in your own home?
At the end of the day, just remember: we will have to deal with the current presidency for the next 4-8 years, but family is forever. Keep calm, and don’t say anything you’ll regret later.
4. Have an excuse to leave
It’s hard to realize that your family isn't always as supportive of your personal morals and values as you think. For the sake of your family, you may want to attend Thanksgiving dinner, but have a reasonable excuse to leave ready in case things get too heated.
Then again, you know your family better than anyone else. If you believe the night will end in chaos, maybe try a Friendsgiving this year instead. Thanksgiving is meant to bring people together, you shouldn’t feel obliged to hear your family bicker over dinner.
Don't worry, you'll get through this
