In light of an extremely difficult election season, it is important to remember that we are all valuable. We are human. Each one of us is an asset to society in some way.
Living in this harsh society makes us afraid. We are afraid of what can happen to us, and we try to protect ourselves in every way. We can do that by pushing people away or saying certain things which create an us versus them mindset.
Creating these strong divides means that some percentage of our population assumes that anyone who is labeled a certain way doesn't know what they're talking about, doesn't understand 'how it works', or is just plain stupid. Not because they're a person, but because we've reduced them to a label. These labels are so broad that they cannot determine a person's ideas, character, or beliefs. Get to know the person behind the values, because more often than not, you'll enjoy having a mature conversation with someone.
Our actions are driven first by passion: we fight, we push people away, we pull people close, and we love them. They are followed up with reason and logic: apologies, divorce, friendships, marriage. When you feel the urge to write something harsh on someone's facebook status ("breaking the truth" to them), or walk up to someone who has a certain bumper sticker on their car, think twice. Unless you're going to ask if you can grab their coffee for them, or remind them that they're important, your moment of hostility will be read as nothing but cruel and ineffective.
Everyone always raves about how much travel changes their life, and it's true to a point, but the act of meeting people who are different than you can be taken to your own campus, office, or meeting. Individuals have their own habits, language, ceremonies, and more than make them different from everyone else, so why not get to know them. Understand why people value environmental legislation more than the military, why women's rights are so important to some people, the push behind education for every socioeconomic group, or why some value the economy.
Let's try to be patient with others, regardless of our frustration. Enacting kindness into our routine will be more valuable than harsh words. Finding understanding rather than fault is a powerful tool. We'll all be governed by the same president, and it's better to be together than divided. We're all human, and we should treat each other like it.
