For the last few months to last year of our lives, one of the main topic of argument nationwide has been the 2016 election. This election is one for the history books with our two presidential choices battling each other like children at debates, on social media, and to the press, not to mention the numerous accusations against both candidates. It seems that each time we look away from one candidate too long, there is a new scandal pulling our attention back to them. For the last week in particular, I have avoided social media at all costs due to the numerous political posts coming from everyone and their grandmothers. My reasons for avoiding social media and these posts may come as a shock to some, but I’m hoping others might see and agree with my opinion (Note: My OPINION. MY opinion. I am not forcing my opinion on anyone else, nor am I asking for agreement or opposition to my opinion.)

1. Fact Checking

As someone who was never a fan, nor understood, of politics and how our government works until my senior year of high school, I accept the fact I am not the almighty being who knows every detail of politics and how politics work. However, I do have a basic knowledge of how our political system works and how voting works. I understand not everyone had my wonderful Government teacher (Shout out to you, Mrs. H!), but that is no excuse to not have a basic knowledge of it. Especially if you plan to make multiple posts of what each candidate is doing wrong and what they should do instead, asking questions like “Why doesn’t Donald Trump spend more time campaigning in California,” and making statements such as “If X is elected president, they’re going to *insert the most terrible and mind-blowing thing candidate X could possibly do that is most likely illegal*,” please have some idea of how our electoral college and the government/law making/checks and balances systems work.

2. It's Not Worth Losing a Friendship Over

I was raised to respect others opinions and to understand I can’t change everyone else’s opinion. In our world today, there is an idea out there that there can only be one opinion. It seems as though the country held a conference saying, “Okay, we’re going to give you two options, and you have to fight to the death for your choice.” If I posted on any social media right now that I love Donald Trump OR Hillary Clinton, I would bet a years worth of college tuition that I would receive numerous hateful comments in return, regardless of my reasoning. I may even receive comments telling me I was being deleted from someone’s friend list because of my opinion. Discussing my opinion will result in two options: agreement or disagreement. Either someone will agree with me and support my decision, or they’ll disagree. And because of the conference we held, if you disagree with any part of my opinion, you’ll most likely try to argue, call me and my fellow supporters names, or delete me from your social media and maybe even your life. So, I do not believe it is worth wasting my breath announcing my opinions and beliefs, when regardless of my opinion; someone will be upset by it.

So, in the coming weeks filled with holidays and trips home, I ask my friends and family allow me to continue my silence when it comes to politics. I firmly believe we will overcome the results of this election. I ask anyone reading to open their minds to others opinions and to work together in an attempt to find a middle ground. Know your facts before you speak, know your rights before you act, and know your audience before you post.

And please know, regardless of your gender, ethnicity, religion, family, economic status, political views, sexual orientation, and opinions, you are heard, you are understood, you are safe, and you are loved.