If you have grown up in any Southern, small town, you may understand the social stigma of identifying yourself as a liberal. Where I’m from, it’s practically another curse word. Being liberal has somehow become synonymous with being lazy, radical, and, ultimately, ignorant. In contrast, being conservative means you’re hard-working, savvy, and informed.

This trend of ideology has seemed to follow me to college. I’ve encountered many political debates where one party literally winces at the words “liberal” and “Democratic;” on the contrary, many liberals I know share the same reactions regarding the words “conservative” and “Republican.” I can’t help but wonder: why?

While I attend a largely liberal university, I still have met many Republicans. However, I’ve noticed something odd when talking about politics with my conservative friends: they agree with the majority of my ideologies. How can this be when we are supposed to be on completely opposite wings?

For some reason, it seems that individuals are afraid to identify as liberal. Could it have something to do with our geographic backgrounds? Our families’ standards?

I’ve come to the conclusion that such political labels are simply unnecessary. I believe what I want to believe, as do my peers. The division of ideologies conclusively divides us.

We are trained to believe one set of ideas and to demean others’ views that go against our own. I’ve witnessed members of my family and peers obliterate the character of anyone who had opposing views. This social construct is wrong. Our nation and its geographic disparities are dividing us in the worst way possible.

A lot of my so-called conservative friends completely agree with my ideas regarding equal rights, welfare, and the even distribution of taxes. Additionally, as a so-called progressive liberal, I agree with some of their ideas regarding the minimum wage and the federal budget. Does this mean that I’m any less liberal or that they’re any less conservative?

One must sit and speculate on the reasoning behind political parties. Is it merely coincidence that huge amounts of wealth and power are concentrated within parties? Wouldn’t it be difficult to maintain such wealth and power if these parties didn’t exist? Parties clearly split the people, preoccupying them with trivial arguments while, behind the scenes, the wealthy control the parties we argue over.

I will have my beliefs and you will have your beliefs. Instead of hurting one another with harsh words, it would be much more efficient to collaborate ideas in a way that can improve our country. It’s time we demand better from the system. It’s time we finally learn to unify as citizens of this country. Abandon the notion that you have to identify yourself with some political party that more than likely doesn’t even have your best interests at

heart. Revolutionize the way you view the system.