SIKE, but only sort of.
After being inundated with political mayhem being spattered all over your newsfeed, I'm sure the only thing you want to read about today is an article about political views, right?
If you're like me and allow posts on social media to drive you to a point where you angrily inhale an entire bag of Reese's Cups while scrolling through your newsfeed punching the wall, this may be some sort of help or consolation.
I have made the mistake of taking things too personally, too far, or being too defensive on an issue that I immediately discount any opposing view I read. I am guilty of ALL OF THIS. It's hard, after a long time of not being involved or engaged in political matters, I've now arrived at a place in my life where my views and ideas are inextricably intertwined with politics.
I am in a drastically different place than I was a few years ago, especially politically. Now, my views are not what I want to focus on. I've already entered into my max allotment of Facebook fights for this month and can no longer budget in a bag of Reese's every night physically of financially. Here's what I will say, as of my experience thus far, the only two things that have changed my views politically have been discussion and research. Let me say that again: Discussion and RESEARCH. Emphasis on the last one.
In these past few months I've seen some pretty incredible interactions over social media that have floored me. Things being said like "thank you so much for your comment." Or "I really appreciate hearing your point of view or "I never would have considered that." Here's not to say I haven't encountered the all too occasional ignorant word vomit. Just that more than ever I've seen these sort of constructive based discourses that have truly impacted how I absorb opposing views. It's incredible how much tone dictates people's reception and interaction with one another. I have earnestly entertained more opposing views than I ever have because of some of these types Facebook posts.
I've also( thanks college!) been given assignments and projects where I have to complete research and present facts about a certain social and political topic. Topics that I had otherwise "made my mind up" about, I then had to interact with in an academic and factual way. This has changed a lot of things for me. I can point to at least two major views I held that have completely changed due to researching them and interacting with them in a strictly scholarly way. Not to say you need college to do this. All you need is access to books, maybe the internet and the will to learn.
I can't speak for the mass population. I can say for me, constructive discourse and meaningful research have been more than capable of changing a viewpoint.
I will say I have gotten into the practice of "unfriending" and "unfollowing" individuals who demonstrate a few traits:
1. They cannot interact with someone who holds an opposing view without being immature, rude, aggressive or do not apologize for uncalled for behavior.
2. They are in an obvious echo chamber of people who agree with everything they say and believe.
3. They regurgitate narratives of major media and do not formulate their own statement in their own words.
4. They refuse to be held accountable for their words.
5. They lack empathy.
I recently saw a photo on Facebook with the caption that said
"I will respect you regardless of who you vote for in this election. I won't unfriend people due to political views.That degrades democracy and free thinking."
Well, I think that's silly. First of all, I don't believe democracy can be destroyed by social media. I also don't believe "free thinking" is productive when it manifests in the above 5 traits. I firmly believe surrounding yourself with people who have opposing views is vastly beneficial. But also, if some of those people are incapable of entering into a discussion civilly and democratically, I don't see the utility of having them on my newsfeed.
In political seasons, we all interact with social media differently. We all misconstrue tones and levels of perceived aggression. It's hard to feel like talking about politics is productive on social media. I think it can be, I think it's possible. I do think one step towards true impact is open, civil discussion, self-driven research, and Reese's Cups.
