When I was in college
and preparing for a summer study abroad in Spain, we were given two rules that
were non-negotiable for American students studying in a foreign country: 1/ Do
NOT discuss religion and 2/ Do NOT discuss politics. Yeah. Life used to be much
simpler.
Fast forward to today
and ... sheesh.
I am not a political
person, and I certainly do not have all the answers, but I have done some
soul-searching these past few months. With election day just around the corner,
I am sharing some points to ponder which have helped me in deciding what to do
...
1- Do not allow yourself
to be spoon-fed
News is everywhere, but
allowing it to come from a single source is not only limiting, but it
encapsulates you in a world you create. The best way to know what you truly
stand for, and to be able to defend it, is to understand what the other side is
thinking and saying. This is the way to achieve civil discourse. Be an equal
opportunity news-watcher and newspaper-reader. When my husband and I watch the
nightly news, we are constantly switching back and forth between networks,
making comparisons and noting what is or is not being featured. For example,
Fox News recently televised the entire Supreme Court nomination hearing whereas
CNN tuned in only when it was Kamala Harris’ turn to speak; one network
returned to an old story on the Osama Bin Ladin raid while, at the same time,
another network covered the Twitter censorship of the NY Post and various
political pundits. What we find most annoying is when a network shows footage
of a live event, or broadcasts a politician’s speech, and then proceeds to
report on it in a manner totally incongruous to what we are witnessing in real
time.
In the end, beware of
news that does not provide BOTH sides of the story. What is being said is
important, but what is not being said also speaks volumes.
2- Cast a wide net
Just as it is important
to explore multiple news sources, it is equally important not to limit your
social circle ONLY to those who think like you. The world is full of people who
think differently, and tolerance of others’ views takes practice. Much has been
made about the friendship between Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg
who stood on opposite sides of the political arena but met on the common ground
of friendship. They are a testament of how it is possible to get along despite
having opposing views. Yes, even during an election year.
3- Beware of headlines
As a writer, I know that a strong opening sentence is meant to invite a reader to linger and ponder and
delve further. BUT, a headline emblazoned across a newspaper reduces an entire
story to a few attention-grabbing words, and not reading past the headline
leads to a pitfall of misinformation and manipulation. Do not let yourself be
misinformed; do not let yourself be manipulated.
4- There is more to it
than a name on a ballot
For the purposes of an
election, there must be a name on the ballot. But make no mistake, that name on
the ballot is MORE than the individual. While it would be nice to like the
candidate, and in a perfect world this would be the case, the fact is
likability does not have to be a key factor in your decision. That name on the
ballot represents a broader scope of policy, an agenda, a platform; it includes
advisors, representatives, senators, and staff members. Take into consideration
others whose names may NOT be on the ballot but who have a prominent voice. Are
they strident? Extreme? Moderate? Accessible? Dismissive? Inspirational? Do
they share your views, hopes, and core beliefs?
It should be comforting
to remember that our government has a multi-tiered system of checks and
balances. We are not voting for a dictator or king, but a president who leads
but who is also kept in check by members of the House and Senate. In the
history of our country there have been good presidents and bad ones, popular ones and not so popular ones, and yet America continues to shine.
Democracy works. It is
not perfect, but we must trust (and respect) the process even when the outcome
is not the one we hoped for.
5- Be passionate, but
not hateful
Hate and passion bubble
forth from the same wellspring, but while they are both characteristic of
heightened emotions, they are vastly different. During an election, passion is
fueled by enthusiasm and zeal to support, promote, and champion a candidate;
hatred is fueled by loathing and abhorrence, the support of a candidate solely
bolstered by hatred for the opposing side. Sometimes that hatred leads to
abandonment of all reason to the point of irrationality, and the ability to see
any good (anything at all) in the opposing side is lost. Haters
are gonna hate to the point it becomes pro forma.
6- You Be You
The privilege of casting
a vote is highly personal and intensely precious. No one can tell you how to
vote. No one. But in deference to our forefathers, we need to recognize and
respect the weight of even a single vote. Be informed. Research, question, and
discuss. Turn to your faith and stand on your morals and principals even if it
is against popular opinion. And yes, listen to the frenzy of news reports and
tweets and political analysts … all of which are trying to tell you what to do.
Ultimately, YOU are
the eye in the political hurricane. The decision is all yours to make.
So, stand tall. Cast
your ballot.
It is a powerful thing.
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