Let's talk...about talking to others.

The linear political spectrum today projects stereotypical labels onto the two, democratic and republican parties. On social media, you are either a racist, homophobic, high-class or white trash republican who can't say one thing regarding taxes without someone rolling their eyes, or you're a free riding, un-american, socialist who comments on any given issue only to receive the response, "here come the liberals!" Either way, many people can't seem to find a way to speak to other human beings in a way that still respects, but does not belittle someone else and their beliefs.

It is not our place to judge. Our minds do not mimic the spectrum and operate in a straight line from one end to the other; we have a web of thoughts and experiences to define who we are and what we want out of our political system. However, when hateful spew, intended to be an opposition to any given statement, shadows over the words of others who are trying to illustrate their personal beliefs, no rational or intuitive conversation is actually taking place. Instead, that hate just builds up the stereotype behind whatever party the hateful comments came from. There's so many things wrong with this. Not only is hating on a person equal to yourself over things you cannot single-handedly control obnoxious, but when someone partakes in this action and does in fact broadcast dark words and demeaning names onto others, they are essentially helping to label the rest of their party, in retrospect.

Social media demands that we give some sort of justification as to why we hold the beliefs we do when someone opposes our thoughts. It's as if hate and political affiliation are married when someone of the political party opposite of your own hears/sees you speak your mind. This is seen especially from total strangers. People who have never spoken a single word to some else will straight up post vicious comments under your last shared video, retweet, status update, or recently posted photos simply because you think different from them.

Hate in politics is no where near a new reality-it has and always will exist. My hope is that this hate turns from spite to constructive vocabulary between fellow beings. Perhaps we as whole society need to bite our tongues on social media (and everywhere else) before verbally attacking someone and their beliefs. Not all republicans are racist, homophobic, high-class or white trash PEOPLE; likewise, not all democrats are free riding, un-american, socialist PEOPLE.

We think differently. We are diverse. We are not linear.