Let me start by saying this: I am very guilty of posting about politics. I love politics and I always have, ever since I was a little kid. I wanted to be the first mixed race, female, curly haired president when I was young.
But that was when things were easy. That was when politics consisted of asking your friends on the playground "Who are your parents voting for?" Now, it seems like it's an all out war and when you find out someone is on the other side they're the enemy, and you look at them differently like you found out they enjoy something strange and taboo.
I love politics, but I am done arguing with people about it. Face it, you won't change my mind and I sure as hell won't change yours. You are probably as headstrong as I am, and that's totally okay. That's what American politics were built on- differences in ideas and ever changing power. It's fine to debate people you know and love, as long as it's friendly and stops when dinner is done cooking. It's alright to share articles and even to put your two cents in on your own social media page.
Where I draw the line is at the Google search bar.
If you try to engage me in a political argument and the best evidence you can find to back up your stance is the first result on Google, walk away.
If you regularly read only conservative or only liberal news websites, walk away.
If your idea of a friendly political debate includes calling someone "stupid" or "idiotic", or if it includes pulling out a wonderful name that your grandma would gasp at, walk away.
If you just are here to argue, walk away.
If you are just here to point fingers, walk away.
No one wants to read that. Sure, it's juicy and a fight is something anyone would enjoy on Facebook, but unfortunately, you're probably ruining a friendship and there's a chance that you aren't even right about what you're saying.
So the next time you decide that the first post on your timeline isn't something you agree with, maybe try scrolling on. Try to ignore it, or mute the person doing the postings, because this election season is so not worth losing people over.
