Dear Conservative Facebook Friends,

I just wanted to say thanks.

I really mean that, too. I know I share a lot of my views on Facebook (I kind of have to, writing for the Odyssey and everything), and I appreciate that you do too. Since the inauguration, social media has been kind of a mess. The comments sections have gotten longer and longer, and sometimes it's ugly. But sometimes, it's an actual conversation of people explaining their views and why they stand where they stand.

Now, this is pretty rare for the comments section. But it's not so rare in the articles that have been shared.

I study media, not to mention Psychology, so I am well aware that people tend to gravitate only towards what they agree with. So I make an active effort not to. In the past two weeks, I have clicked on a number of the links my conservative friends have shared, and have found some really good content. These articles presented and explained the conservative point of view in a respectful, understandable, way, without all the mud-slinging that goes on in comments sections. I didn't agree with the points being made in the articles, but they made me think.

I have never had a problem discussing differing points of view. Even when those views were political. I don't have a problem with Republicans. I have friends who are Republican, or at least more conservative than myself, and while they aren't always my closest friends, I think they're great people and I like talking to them and being around them. Some of my favorite family members are Republican, and this never caused any problems until this past election season. When politics came up, while the conversations weren't always comfortable, it was possible to have a healthy discussion about our views and opinions. But this Thanksgiving we avoided politics like the plague.

It's so unfortunate that it's come to this. In certain liberal circles, "Republican" is practically a dirty word. And vice versa for conservatives. As a liberal, it is easy for me to call to mind prominent Republican figures that literally get online and yell about how stupid liberals are. But I know there are Democrats who do exactly the same thing about Republicans.

I don't agree with a lot of what the Republican Party stands for. But when did we decide that we had to dislike, dare I say hate, people who we disagree with? This can only lead no place good.

As the old saying goes, variety is the spice of life. We all need to engage with content that we don't necessarily agree with, or we'll never grow as individuals.

That's why you'll never see me post something like, "If you disagree, get off my friends list." If you disagree, let's have a discussion. I might never agree with you, and you might never agree with me, but that's not the point. The point is to understand where the other person is coming from. If we don't make an effort to do this, it will divide our country even further than it already is. It will lead to more hate and more problems.

That's why content that presents a point of view without attacking those that disagree is so important. That's what I strive to create. Developing and standing by your ideas is incredibly important. But that doesn't mean you have to close your mind off to other ideas, and it doesn't mean you have to attack other people.

Conservative friends (and family members), please know that just because I don't agree with some of your ideas, doesn't mean I think your points or experiences are invalid. I appreciate what you post because it opens a door for understanding. It is how we will overcome the "good vs. evil" thing our political climate has descended into. And that's something I think we all can agree would be a welcome change.

Best wishes,

Your Liberal Facebook Friend