Overly Political Anonymous

Hi, my name is Judah and I am overly political.

“Hi, Judah!”

Have you ever known someone who is overly political? Someone who continually posts political things on social media? Someone who thinks you are intolerant if you hold an opposing view as theirs? I’m sure that you aren’t like that…but maybe you know someone who is?

Back in the 1960’s people were asked if they would mind if their son or daughter married someone from the opposite political party. They basically said that they didn’t give a rip. Only about 4-5% of the people said that it mattered.

How do people feel about that today? Now research has confirmed nearly 50% would be displeased if their child married someone from a different political party. This is astonishing because only about 13% would mind if their son or daughter married someone of a different color. So the reality is that partisanism has become the new racism.

I find it very interesting that while everyone is trying to fight racism they are falling into an equally vicious cycle of hate and anger towards those with opposing political beliefs.

Now, I know that what I say next will offend some people. So, if you are easily offended and you already feel the hair bristling on your neck, perhaps it is best to just close this page and move on. However, if you can keep an open mind, this might be just what you need to read.

Just. Live. Your. Life.

Are there certain things that we should stand for? Absolutely! But at some point, you just gotta live your life. So, the election didn’t go your way? Just live your life. There’s a new law you do/don’t agree with? Live your life.

The problem is that the media is racing to spew out half-accurate, divisive statements which we then gobble up and regurgitate online and in our conversations. It is obvious that much of the media no longer cares about being right, they merely care about being first.

We have so much information at our fingertips but what has it brought us? More hate and animosity towards those who disagree with us. Perhaps we should consider limiting our consumption of this drivel? Do we really need a play-by-play of everything that is going on in the world around us? And don’t we tend to gravitate only in the direction that spins the news in a way which reinforces our view?

Maybe it’s time to admit our overly political tendencies and just live our lives?