At such a contentious time, it’s easy get caught up in what divides us, instead of what unites us. For decades, party polarization has been a major trend and problem in politics. Especially during this election, political views have moved beyond the realm of politics and into personal doubts of tolerance and respect, enforcing deep divisions in society. It’s quite common to find a Hillary supporter who hates Trump and all he stands for, and vice versa. Even beyond this election, it has become normal to stand with one party, and absolutely despise any other political opinions. But in this deeply divisive environment, I think it’s important to note that while we have many different opinions, we are one country and one people.

If you have read any of my previous articles or know me at all, it’s not difficult to deduce that I am a Democrat. And I will openly admit that I am very supportive of Hillary Clinton and offended by Donald Trump. But that doesn’t mean that I must agree with every single thing Hillary Clinton or the Democratic party does or represents, or absolutely despise everything about Trump and Republicans. Put quite simply, supporting a party or person doesn’t mean you must support everything they do, and reject everything everybody else does. But people feel inclined to do so on every level, from average citizens to the highest government officials, and it makes our society more segregated and tense.

My parents are both Democrats, my mother entirely liberal and my father socially liberal, but fiscally more moderate. My sister and I are both very liberal; I think we are quite classic New York City kids, essentially operating on the premise that anyone and everyone should have the right to live happily as themselves, without fear or anxiety about who they are, and it is our job and priority to care about the equality of all people, not just ourselves. I believe extremely wealthy people should have to contribute more, that women’s bodies and choices should be free from legislation and interference, that everyone should be able to love and marry whom they want, and that we must take action to mitigate the damage we have done to our planet. And there is nothing wrong with having strong beliefs, or aligning strongly with one party, but that doesn’t mean that I must be opposed to every Republican politician and philosophy by default.

While my immediate family is quite liberal, I have a number of relatives who are Republicans. At family gatherings, we avoid talking about politics because it becomes too heated and schismatic. I think this sort of family dynamic has become quite typical in our society, but it demonstrates an inherent problem. Avoiding any political conversation seems smart but, in reality, it creates a society where we are unable to have healthy discourse. Alternative opinions shouldn’t automatically mean an argument will ensue; quite contrarily, differing stances make for better conversations and more inclusive, well-rounded ideas and policies.

We get angry when Congress shuts down and lament about its inefficiency and uselessness. Yet we do the same thing at our Thanksgiving dinners when we avoid political conversation altogether or revert to argument. We approach situations of contrasting views as dangerous territory, wired for hostilities when really, different schools of thought should be seen as a good thing – something that will allow for better and more holistic policies, ideas, and solutions.

In this election, even more so than others, you may be immensely and unforgivably against one of the candidates. I’m not going to lie and say that I’m not. But I think it’s very important to think about the fact that one of these candidates will be the President of the United States (which is also why abstaining from voting is simply illogical and juvenile, but that's another subject!). One of these candidates will be representing ALL of us. It’s vital to note that it is more valuable to find compromise and move towards working together to advance platforms that will benefit as many people as possible, rather than creating divisions amongst ourselves and get nothing done, simply because we have grown accustomed to thinking that collaboration is considered a loss. Our country and society are much stronger when politics are motivated by cooperation and encompassing as many ideas as possible into our governing bodies – not when we polarize ourselves to the extent where refusal to work together is regarded as a good thing.

Politics are divisive – but our differences are important because of their potential to unite and improve us, not by how they divide us. It is an incredible thing to be motivated by your beliefs, but it is an even greater thing to be driven by the recognition that we can accomplish more by respecting and working with one another.