This election season has certainly been nothing short of eventful. From riots, to protests, to family members going against each other and friends arguing via lengthy Facebook threads, it seemed as if everywhere you were to turn, someone was there waiting to argue and drill you concerning who you were voting for and why. And in most instances, the result wasn't exactly considered pleasant.
As the election craze dies down, I couldn't help but reflect on my own experience during my very first election.
While I steered clear of getting involved in political discussions on Facebook and in person for the most part, I couldn't help but get into a discussion with one of my coworkers when he asked me unsolicited, "Hey, who did you vote for?"
I was taken aback by his question. I was simply trying to take care of my work duties and get out of there so I could go home and continue what I needed to do for the remainder of my day, but here I was in a place I really didn't want to be - a political discussion with someone I don't know particularly well.
With respect to myself and the individual I had this conversation with, I'm not going to say who each of us decided to vote for in this election, but we did not vote for the same people. Actually, we disagreed entirely on a majority of issues as we came to find out. However, it was the most pleasant moment I've experienced over the past year of argumentative Facebook posts and political campaign advertisements.
He voiced his reasoning for voting the way he did, and I did the same. At the end of the conversation we both were able to take a step back and say "Huh, I never thought of it that way." We were able to respect one another's views and opinions without attacking each other as individuals, or attack the way that we decided to vote. It was a peaceful conversation; one of respect and kindness, not hate and anger.
While I can't say he changed my mind or made me rethink who I decided to cast my vote for, he did make me think about other things. He made me think about how corrupt this whole election was, and how it really did not have to be. Not corrupt because of the candidates, or the campaign commercials, but corrupt because of us.
We as a nation argued and fought with one another, we hated one another for something that ultimately will not change. In this time of extreme divide among our country, I think it's important to remember that we are all connected, we are all Americans, and most importantly...we are all people. People who just want the best for this nation and the generations to come.
As we move past this tumultuous time in our country, it is important to remain kind and caring to one another, in every situation, political or not. Because sometimes, even the most hectic times can be minimized by someone choosing to be kind, or someone listening even when they do not agree.
