Tolerance.

The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular, the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

As a self-proclaimed moderate liberal, I can say that my political group is hypocritical in some sense. We like to preach to others to tolerate the people and groups we associate with and support, but what about those that don't align with us? What about the groups that seem pitted against the progress we attempt to make, or those who despise our platforms and agendas? Are we going to make the deliberate effort to connect with them and search for some common ground?

Here at Oakland University, there is more of a balance between conservatives and liberals amongst the student base, and moderates are more common than on most liberal campuses. This provides an interesting dynamic of regular political conflict involving generally educated and intelligent Millenials.

Millenials.

There is such a stigma surrounding that word, but I can say that as a whole we live up to the stereotypes of Millenials. One of the main characteristics associated with us is being entitled. Yet, think about it. Why do we have such a problem with finding harmony with those of different ideologies or political views: It lies in the fact that we feel entitled to be right. Tolerance and acceptance of others' views is seen as disqualifying one's own stance and personal, political convictions. It is the misconception that accepting different views is accepting some sort of defeat for your own.

It is important to remember that with politics, there is no definitive right answer simply for the fact that no policy or platform will make everyone happy. Politics and progress circle around compromise. If either side is stubborn and static no one will move forward. That same mindset can be applied to when you encounter someone on a different end of the political spectrum. Being obstinate in discussion, refusing to see their side or deciding to just yell louder than them does nothing, and you may not be as right as you think.

We need to learn how to not just coexist, not just tolerate, but actually achieve consonance with one another. We don't have to agree, but we do have to abandon our entitlement and see each other as intelligent equals in the collegiate sphere. We all bring something to the political table, and mostof us have logic routed in what we think is best and out of the good in our hearts.

The people who are opposed to you are still people. They are more than their political beliefs.

You don't have to abandon your platform and just meet at a moderate middle, whatever side you are on, to be harmonious with one another. The importance is in respecting others' views and recognizing responsibility in engaging in intellectual discussion without being headstrong and purely argumentative.

We are all adults now. Let's start acting like politically responsible ones.