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Politics

Post Election Troubles: We Lack Understanding

In the wake of this important election, empathy will be needed more than ever.

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Post Election Troubles: We Lack Understanding
The New Yorker

Tuesday marks the day that everyone in America has been waiting for.

Just what does the United States have in store come election day? These past few days (months, really) have been incredibly saturated with political rhetoric from three different sides. Everyone has an opinion, everyone feels like much is at stake for them within the next few days.

I don't find it to be an exaggeration when someone says that our nation has become incredibly divided. I can't go a single day without hearing analysts argue over the direction that our country is going, and honestly I think I've become numb to it all as it is the case day after day.

There is no where safe from all of this madness, not even in the outlets that I considered an escape. A few days ago, I preformed one of my nightly rituals in unwinding to the sounds of a podcast. That night, I tuned into the Game Over Greggy Show where the first topic of the day was none other than politics. Fantastic.

What I heard; however, was one of the most moving speeches I have heard in a long time. Here is the 50 minute piece from that podcast (highly recommended):


In the segment, Colin referred to this article. The article is titled, How Half Of America Lost Its F**cking Mind.

I want to focus in on one thing specifically that was covered within those 50 minutes and within the article that I believe are extremely pertinent in this political atmosphere. If its anything our country lacks now, and if its anything we are going to need going into Tuesday: its empathy.

Now politically, I tend to lean to the left. Therefore I am no stranger to the anti-trump rhetoric that the people from our side like to bring up in debate-like situations. Before we go any further I want to make it crystal clear that this article is not about defending Trump in any way, but to provide perspective for some of his supporters.

Racist, bigots, deplorables; just some of the many names we've decided to label supporters of Donald Trump, though rarely do we ever stop to think about just who might be in this 'basket of deplorables'.

Yes, there really are racists and bigots among Trump supporters, it is well documented in fact. That being said, there are many others who couldn't care less what the color of my skin is or who you choose to marry. They just want their job back.

From the 50 year old factory worker who watched his job get shipped overseas, to the young couple forced to shut down their family business because a Wall-Mart decided to put down roots in their small community, there are legions of people who genuinely feel as though they have been cheated.

Its unfortunate to think that many of us have the audacity to call them bigots; to call them all bigots when we haven't given it as much as a second thought. These people grow our food and make up the backbone of this country, allowing liberal bastions like our cities and suburbs to thrive.

Through empathy we can avoid this kind of generalization, the kind of generalization that has plagued millennials for many years. If we took the time to understand some of their grievances and their backstories, then we will have realized why it is that someone can choose a candidate like Trump or Johnson. Maybe then it would be a bit easier to hold a conversation with them if we disagree.

I'm focusing on liberals in this article for two reasons: Odyssey tends to have a liberal following and that many liberals are guilty of generalization. Make no mistake, both sides can benefit from lending an ear to the other. There is a lot of work to be done in the wake of this election, but it starts when we choose to show a little empathy.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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