We just experienced what will probably be one of the most remembered, most controversial elections in our country’s history. For months we followed the speeches, appearances, and debates that conquered Snap Chat stories through the various effects applied to Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump’s faces (how could we resist?). Of course, as with any presidential election, people took it upon themselves to advocate for their personal strongly held opinions, and with that came debates, arguments, conflict, and overall disrespect for one another.
What we need to remember, however, is how important it is to respect one another’s opinions, especially at a time like right now when it comes to politics. No one is wrong, and no one is stupid. We all have reasons behind our views when it comes to certain issues, and there will always be those two people who will never be able to see eye-to-eye. I have witnessed far too many conversations and arguments in person, on Facebook, on the comments section of articles online, and on the news. People come head to head because each individual thinks he or she knows more than the other. Each person thinks they are right and the other person is wrong. But there is no correct answer—it’s all completely personal, and that is why we need to respect those whose opinions differ from our own.
Earlier on in the election, I decided to try and stay out of the political talks. I hold my opinions strongly and realized that I get frustrated when trying to communicate with those from the other side. I do respect those whose opinions differ from mine, and what I realized is that it makes no difference trying to talk to them. In one conversation, you are not going to change someone else’s mind. I once had a very infuriating talk with someone who advocated for the other side and tried to alter my beliefs. It doesn’t work like that. I feel the way I do for a reason, and no one can change it. Some of these political conversations get out of hand for no reason, and it comes down to a factor of contempt for the other side.
We all have our own lives, experiences, and social networks that induce our beliefs, and therefore our political opinions. Two people can come from the same background, have the same education, same amount of knowledge about two presidential candidates, and still disagree. What it comes down to is personal judgment, and we need to remember to respect those whose views differ from ours. Someone who has a homosexual family member would view a certain candidate differently than someone who has never been close to a homosexual individual. It does not make that person naïve, uneducated, or stupid—it just makes that person different.
What we need to do is embrace the differences that exist among us. Hair color, height, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and political opinion are just some of the things that make us who we are and that make us different from one another. We ought to understand that not everyone will see issues in the same way, and it’s a good thing they don’t because we’d be living in one boring world.
One other thing I want to call attention to is the fact that the election is over. Donald Trump has won. Some were neutral, some strongly support him, and some strongly oppose him—it doesn’t matter anymore. The outcome is what it is, and at this point it’s useless engaging in conversations comparing him to Clinton. We are all on the same side now. No one should hope to see him fail in order to prove some sort of a point. All of us have our country’s best interest at heart, a president has been elected, and now we all ought to root for him and hope for the best. It’s time to come together, regardless of who we were rooting for a week ago, and remember what all this is about in the first place. No matter our personal views, we all want the same outcome and now need to stand together as we cheer on our future president.
