There is a huge, ongoing political debate about gender. The way i see it, people identify with some “traditional” aspects of gender more than others, and ultimately there is no single, set mold on any side. People are different from one another. But we are also united by similarity.
Michelle Obama has been campaigning for Hillary Clinton, and just a few days ago, Michelle was in Phoenix, AZ, my hometown. I was excited and a little jealous that my mom, my sister, and my boyfriend all got to go see her speak. I tuned in via Facebook’s live video feature, and I was moved once more by Michelle’s proclamation that we are “stronger together,” and the insightful ways she linked that idea and Hillary’s campaign with the community in Phoenix and American ideals more broadly. As Americans today, at this political and social crossroad, we are stronger together.
As I listened to Michelle speak, I realized that the best moments in my life so far have been consistent in one aspect: community. Some of these moments happened within my family, when we banded together to undertake a new cooking escapade on a Sunday evening, or when we spent the two-hour drive to Flagstaff, AZ from our Phoenix home listening to Hamilton and stopping the track frequently to discuss. Some of these moments happened in high school, where my graduating class was 63 students—the small number of students contributed to a tight-knit community which was able to share experiences like camping out in the lunchroom all night to read Homer’s Iliad in its entirety while eating a roasted pig. Some of these moments have occurred recently, in collaboration with my fellow Valpo freshmen, bunkered down in the basement of the center for the arts, pounding on a piano, writing songs for our musical. No matter the specifics of the situation, I feel happiest and most productive when I am collaborating with others, coexisting in my community, and exchanging love and talents with those around me. I am stronger when I work with others.
As in every age of American history, this election season has drawn up the most pertinent and pressing political issues of the day, although with the internet and widespread media influence, it is difficult to escape hearing about these issues all year round. I personally am aware of and invested in the current discussion of women's’ rights, and many of my friends are passionate about various issues. Having these kinds of conversations is good and I am fascinated by the potential for activism and change presented by the internet. However, in the midst of these issues, it is easy to let differences divide us rather than unite us in an effort to make a change. As women struggle to be viewed and treated as individual humans with equal rights, for example, it is easy to lose track of the heart of the issue and instead blame men aggressively, leading to fanaticism which hinders progress. That is just one example of division over unity—this happens all the time.
As I discussed earlier, people are different. Men and women are often different. But we are also the same. Men and women have ambitions. Men and women are capable of love. Men and women want to thrive. Men and women want to produce something great and lasting in their lives. Men and women like to learn. Men and women are curious.
And on and on. These are the qualities we should focus on. Together we can make a change, but instead we are too often distracted by conflict and hate. As Michelle outlined in Phoenix, that is exactly what Trump wants. Trump feeds on fear and hatred. We need hope, and to restore our hope of a better future, we need unity. We are stronger together, and as soon as we let ourselves collaborate rather than fight, in every aspect of life, we will change America and move toward something great.
