We've all been there: you see a political post and share it. Sometimes you don't really think that much about it, sometimes you write something along with it, but either way, someone who disagrees with it comments and you get into an online argument. I've done it dozens of times. Do you want to know how many times I convinced someone I was right and they were wrong? Once. Arguing, or discussing, political ideas on Facebook gets you nowhere, so you really shouldn't waste your time with it.
I can't tell you how many memes I've seen in the last few weeks saying "If you ______, you're part of the problem." Wherever you stand on "Black/All Lives Matter," why do you feel the need to share a picture on social media saying, "I disagree with you, so you're part of the problem"? Which problem? How does my disagreeing link me to this problem you claim exists? It doesn't need to be on Facebook.
I've been involved in two big arguments on Facebook in the last few weeks. One was on guns and the other abortion. Both times I ended up arguing with people that I was friends with, no one's opinion changed, no one heard new information, no one heard a new perspective and everyone was just reciting their opinions. Then came the passive-agressive posts clearly targeted at people in the argument. I really wanted to comment on those posts and start an argument too. I didn't comment. Instead the next time an argument started I simply stated, "Here's my opinion..., now that we've given our two cents, let's just stop arguing. No one is going to change anyone else's opinion." The argument exploded, several other people hopped in, every side of the argument was being presented, more people kept on commenting, hateful things were said and I just sat back and watched. And guess what? My opinion didn't change, and neither did anyone else's. Other people texted me and said, "I really want to comment this on your post," but I told them not to because they'd end up just arguing with their friends, as I had.
I hope when I return to campus next week, no one gives me glares or talks about me behind my back. "Don't talk to him, he said ____, he thinks _____, he owns ____." Talking like that is childish. Be mature enough to be friends with someone who you disagree with. If you can't, then don't talk about it. You vote your way and I'll vote mine and we'll both hope for what we think is best for everyone.
