“Umm…I do not know what election day is. I have never heard of that day before.”
Student A response from my class placement in Green Bay
How cute is that student?! Sometimes I have that mood too, especially right now…but, we all know what election day is….including the excitement and the stress of it…
For the past several months, we have been bombarded with advertisements about the different parties through television, social media, phone calls, and yard signs. Our friends and family may have also made efforts to influence who we decide to vote for. We have viewed the debates to gain a greater understanding of the candidates also. The conclusion is that we each determine which party we want to stand alongside to manage the country for the next four years.
Most people feel validated in what they perceive of each of the candidates, and these feelings of validation can separate friends and family. I have a close friend here at college that just lost a group of friends because she decided to vote for the opposite party than the others in the group. I am sure this has happened to others as well, and how unfortunate this reality is.
Amidst our validation, we need to remember that we are all people and each of us matters. We are no better than anyone else. When we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed in our feelings of validation, we tend to lack humility and become defensive; thus, leading to division. Each of us forms our perceptions of life and morality as a consequence of our virtues, upbringing, and experiences. Therefore, because no two people are the same in consideration to those three areas, there will be discrepancies in opinions, especially when the presidential election is being considered. But how we decide to work through these discrepancies as a nation will determine the kind of country we will become.
Instead of criticizing our neighbors, let’s be an example by the way we live our lives. Each of us has grown up being taught that actions speak louder words, and we can use that statement to demonstrate our attitude towards the election and debatable issues. Additionally, if our actions display humility, we will gain the respect of others, and as Christians. we are called to live humble lives.
America is commonly known as a united nation, and unity is idealistic. However, I don’t think America as a unified nation at this moment. Therefore, this election year, whatever the outcome may be, let’s live in humility and allow our humble lives to be an example to others. Let’s strive to become a united nation that appreciates differences and perception discrepancies within its society.
