After the recent presidential election, Larry Lee looks for common ground between political parties.
Many of us are having our own personal emotional reactions to the recent election results. It may range from shock, sadness, anxiety and fear, to elation and celebration. Those of us who didn’t like the results must proceed with our lives as we work through the stages of grief and have to decide how to respond to the next four years.
However, I find myself struggling with a darker side, which is human nature’s inclination to resort to “othering,” which was emblematic of the election. I can see those who voted the same way I did as “with me” and those who didn’t as “against me.” It is natural to label people or things as good or bad, right or wrong, Republican or Democrat, but I don’t find it very helpful to resort to this right now. It would be too easy to be angry and blame, shaking our heads at those we perceive as totally unenlightened.
It doesn’t help to demonize the “other” to think it’ll make me feel more righteous. Part of me wants to selectively choose to be with likeminded friends, but on the other hand, I also know it would be helpful to better understand those who may have divergent views. What I want to feel is empowered and hopeful that we can still build a sense of community and collaboration.
Can we tap into and cultivate what we have in common more than what separates us? My wish is that rather than resorting to seeing people as the “other,” we can see how we are interconnected in what we value about being citizens of our country. It’s been my experience that it is harder to objectify people that you have personal relationships with. I don’t want to live in a state of fear or anger. I must stay focused on how to find sources of hope and ways to stay compassionate with an intention to deepen my understanding of those who don’t agree with us. The challenge is to take the step to reach out.