2020 wasn’t exactly amazing to begin with, but election season definitely hasn’t done the year any favors.
I’ve already begun the countdown to 2021, half joking, half desperately hoping that something better must be in store for the new year.
But, even then, I find it hard to be super excited about the direction our country is moving.
As a young person, I feel like I’m supposed to be imbued with this sense of optimism.
I’ve often felt the mixture of anticipation and fear that comes with considering all the possibilities of the future.
Regardless of any mistakes along the way, there’s excitement in knowing that there is still so much to learn.
I worry, though, that our society is moving farther and farther away from one that fosters growth and learning.
There’s so little that I’ve figured out, and I’m so dependent on others to help me learn.
It makes me especially sad to feel like the opportunities to share with and learn from others are quickly dwindling.
I want to be able to hear others’ perspectives and understand how their experiences have shaped their beliefs.
I want to be able to sit down with people who disagree with my opinions and have a discussion.
Just like I think all of us do, I also want the chance to be heard.
And at the end of it all, I want to still have relationships with or at least have respect for the people I disagree with.
But I’m forced to wonder, how can I become a more informed and more compassionate person when it feels so difficult to simply talk and listen?
The seemingly small group who still desires civil discourse is so afraid of being met with insults that they don’t even bother to speak up.
It frightens me that passionate, intelligent people feel cornered into silence.
So much of the discord seems to be rooted in politics.
Of course, we should all stand against bigotry and hate.
But cutting off relationships and demonizing others for their right to hold an opinion that doesn’t match yours seems like a plan to render us all sad and lonely.
A few weeks ago my pastor shared something that resonated with me.
He reminded us that every person voting Republican likely thinks they’re doing the best thing for our country. Every person voting Democrat also probably thinks they’re doing the best thing for our country.
Holding an opposing viewpoint doesn’t mean that person is acting maliciously toward you. People simply have different beliefs.
Still, it’s so difficult to choose to learn from and love others when our nation’s leaders are teaching us to shut down and attack anyone who thinks differently.
While I don’t always see a positive path forward, the future feels a lot brighter when I remember that there people behind their political views.
-Kayleen Petrovia is a reporter for the Journal-Tribune.