Through all of the controversies and negative events impacting our country and the world at large in the recent weeks, I am honestly in shock of the blatant disregard for simple human life. I think now more than ever when we start to discuss pressing issues such as radical politics that lead to events such as the Charlottesville protest and massacre, we have to remind ourselves of not only who we are dealing with in terms of those participating in such horrific events but those who we are engaging in conversation about such events.

It can be very easy and tempting to fall far into the mask of our political view, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, etc. and have two one-sided conversations occur. It can be easy to block out another person’s argument based on the simple notion that they have said something that may contradict you, but is it doing anyone any good by raising your voice and spitting off facts about how Trump is basically Hitler? You may think it does by attempting to force your argument on the other person to change, but what if that person is as polarized as you? How would you like it if you were being talked down to as if you were some sort of middle schooler who had completely twisted views on the world that had to be corrected?

Look, if we are going to be anywhere close to the generation that brings our nation closer in order to progress (because the two are not mutually exclusive), then we need a different approach to discussing politics and our surrounding culture. I know that certain people will not receive your message well. I know that taking a less preachy tone with someone who you disagree with will not solve anything in some cases. BUT, I also know your chances of having a constructive and informative discussion (the only way to promote any sort of change) will increase greatly.

I think we need to let our guard down once in awhile. Even though someone is saying they are conservative, it does not mean they are secretly part of the KKK and hate black people, and likewise, if someone is saying they are liberal, it does not mean they are Marxist and hate the wealthy.

When it comes down to it, we are all individuals. Some of whom do choose to subscribe to different ideologies for a number of reasons, but that does not define our whole selves. You may agree with some of the political actions Trumps is taking, but that does not necessarily mean you work for him and have to agree and defend everything he does.

We cannot keep letting these stereotypes attributed to each of “markers” in life from letting us actually doing something about the bad in this world. As I went through Villanova University’s orientation, I kept hearing the term “grow as many, unite as one.” I think that says it all. We all are at least humans who breathe the same air and drink the same water. So when we are talking about a controversial topic remember our commonality and maybe someday we will see some positive changes.