With the end of the U.S. presidential election comes the beginning of a new administration. Whether you are pleased with the election’s outcome or not, we must be willing to work together as American citizens, and that means being open to discussing politics.
Here are some tips for these hard conversations.
I’m sure that at some point in a conversation, you’ve thought, “How could that person possibly believe that?” Maintaining open-mindedness and understanding is crucial when discussing sociopolitical issues. In that situation, you must realize they are human, just like anyone else, and you might think the same if you were in their shoes.
Sixty-two percent of American adults cite U.S. politics as a “significant source of stress,” according to a November 2024 survey by the American Psychological Association.
People tend to steer clear from talking about politics because it might make them or other people uncomfortable, which is warranted considering that many people can have personal connections with the topics they are discussing.
Still, if we continually avoid something upsetting or challenging, we will never grow as individuals. Americans shouldn’t constantly avoid discussing relevant issues with their fellow Americans.
Even if a person seems to be completely disregarding your feelings and rationale, you should remain patient and give yourself time to respond with honest and well-formed responses that continue to respect them as a person while also pointing out why you think their argument might not be so well founded or considerate of other experiences. It might make them more inclined to consider your viewpoint. Also, try to find things you agree on to have common ground to meet on.
A lot of the time, the person you may be butting heads with won’t be someone you outright dislike. Some people might find it difficult to accept that someone they like or love might disagree on a particular issue they feel strongly about. It could even be a parent, sibling, friend or significant other, and you might feel inclined not to mention politics lest they disagree with you. Being willfully ignorant can skew your view of reality, so you should be open to their opinions and challenge yourself by bringing up controversial issues.
Additionally, don’t expect to sway someone’s opinion from one interaction at the dinner table. A change in beliefs needs to ruminate over time, whether it takes a day or a year.
Ensure you have a strong basis for your claims, and be willing to challenge them to ensure they are sound. To openly challenge your values and beliefs, you must talk to others so that you can understand their viewpoints better and convince them otherwise or even change your own. You might struggle to create sound arguments if you only talk to people you agree with.
Americans can gradually progress and improve if we continue having these conversations and learning about each other. People are better together than apart, and even though we disagree sometimes, we must remember that we are all Americans and human beings.
Cole Jersek is a sophomore world cinema major from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina. Cole can be reached at [email protected].
