Since the 2016 presidential election, America has arguably been the most divided it has ever been in modern history. Blue or red, Democrats or Republicans, everyone seems to have strong opinions about their beliefs and wants to shred others that disagree. In the wake of the Trump administration, it seems as though everything is being politicized: late-night talk shows, commercials about razors, and even fast-food restaurants. With late-night and other cable television shows, it seems that the nature of these shows has shifted away from comedy and more towards either attacking or praising the POTUS. As a result, people tune in to exactly what they want to hear, and very few are listening to opposing views at any given time. I believe this does not do citizens of the United States any justice, and honestly, it traps us in an echo chamber. Over time, neither side has to sharpen its ideas.

As a progressive/liberal living in a red state, I am guilty of this phenomenon. After Donald Trump's election, I desperately wanted to watch, listen, and laugh to the media of the only people--I thought at the time-- were sane. This led me to watch people like Trevor Noah, Hasan Minhaj, and Stephen Colbert. Over time, my views on abortion, immigration, and the climate became VERY liberal. I went so far as to think that anyone who had an inkling of conservative thought was a misogynistic racist. Before, I even embodied the "snowflake" that many conservatives criticize, with being unable and unwilling to understand the conservative viewpoint. I was so blinded by my beliefs and unwilling to see other viewpoints that I didn't realize I was part of the problem. Me, someone who, in my opinion, belongs to the more tolerant party, was only creating increased division among my conservative friends.

It wasn't until one day, I was sick and tired of fighting the status quo of my state. No matter how much I preach, the reality is that Georgia is highly conservative. So, I decided to understand why. Why is it that half the nation is against universal healthcare? Why is it that half the nation is against free college? Why is it that half the nation is against illegal immigration? What is their logic behind their views? To look into this, I went onto YouTube, but instead of typing the usual "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj", I typed "Tomi Lahren" or "Ben Shapiro" instead. When I first saw some of their clips, I was utterly disgusted. While I was physically making an effort to understand the right, I was mentally unprepared to hear these talking points. But over time, as I watched more videos and read more articles, I started to comprehend their views.

Before explaining my thoughts, I would like to be very clear. I started to understand the views of those on the right, but I still disagree. I will never consider myself a conservative as I agree with the views of the left more. I believe that women should have autonomy over their own bodies. I believe that undocumented immigrants do not bring harm to this country. I support Colin Kaepernick. But, I will no longer demonize the right. I will not call them fools or racists or sexists. And I think other people on the left and right should say the same of people they disagree with too. While the topic of politics will still be a heated one in conversation, I will no longer think that the person I am engaging with is an ill-intentioned person. I will absolutely continue to criticize holes in others' arguments, but rather than pointing fingers at others' beliefs, I will start and continue to criticize my own.

I will still continue to promote my beliefs because ultimately I think they are the right ones to believe. I will tell them to people who agree and disagree with me. I will do so because everyone in this nation has freedom of speech. At the end of the day, you can continue to watch liberal or conservative media and stay in your bubble. Ultimately, you don't have to give a crap about what I or others like me think. But I hope that one day, as a nation, we will, at least for our own sanity.