Family dinners can be stressful enough for most millennials. But fortunately, now that 2017 has officially become the dumbest year in the history of 21^st Century America, family dinners are probably just as stressful for everyone involved. With the perpetual waves of insane breaking news from racial inequity to sexual assailants holding positions of power, there is a subtext in the air for all Americans.

We are aware of these problems in the world, and we are being constantly reminded of them all of the time, but how do we talk about them? In a way, it is a similar idea to why we laugh at bathroom jokes. What happens in the bathroom is something that we learn we cannot talk about in social settings.

Therefore, we find humor in it because as children we are never explained why the bathroom is such a taboo. But what about adults facing real problems of the world that we have been conditioned to alienate?

In the public education system, abstinence-only sex education has conditioned so many people to believe sexual intercourse, whether or not it is safe or consensual, simply should not be talked about.

The same could be said for race. We all learned about the civil war, then the civil rights movement, but what about the 100 years in between? People being too uncomfortable to talk about social inequity is how these unjust systems stay in place.

Even if a person won’t admit to the presence of sexism, racism, homophobia etc. they can at the very least admit that there are problems between American people and the people in charge. So how does this play into family dinner?

Your family should be some of the closest people in your life, that isn’t true for everyone, but nevertheless, you will be obliged to engage in small talk. It is imperative that American citizens can establish solidarity with one-another based on their personal politics.

And this all stems from communicating your grievances as well as hearing other people out. You can disagree with someone, but sincerity goes a long way.

I have personally argued with my grandparents about my political philosophies. They are both independent, but left-leaning. My grandfather does, however, use the word “socialist” as though it were profanity. I myself am a huge leftist. Not too long ago I took my great aunt out to dinner. She is in her late 80’s, and a very religious woman.

Halfway through the meal, she asks me what my thoughts were on athletes kneeling during the national anthem. I told her it didn’t bother me and I felt they were entitled to express their values. She disagreed with me and claimed that it was an insult to veterans.

She then explains that she had a big argument with my grandmother about this issue because my grandmother feels the same way I do. And that is something I really would never have expected. My point is, don’t be scared to talk to any member of your family about politics. You both may learn something.