On Independence Day, let’s make an effort to connect as human beings instead of political adversaries.
In the summer of 1776, our nation declared its independence from the British Empire. Two and a half centuries later, a new power has taken hold of the American public. We’ve been caught in a web of ideology and endless political debate that threatens to consume our lives and rip us apart. It needs to change.
We all know the political climate in this country is toxic. Emotions tend to run high, often fracturing relationships between otherwise friendly people. The mobius loop of rhetoric is sabotaging open discourse.
Ever since our country’s founding, the bedrock of civic culture has not been pure ideology, but rather solid relationships between family and friends. So, just as the colonies seceded from Great Britain so long ago, we can mentally secede from the ferocious political maelstrom we’re caught in. What better time to try this than the Fourth of July?
That’s why I’ve put together three tips to help make a change this summer.
1. Think small.
We’re obsessed with national conversations these days. But remember that you don’t just live in a country — you live in a state, a county, a region, a town, a house. The change you make in those areas will have more impact on you and the people you care about than any D.C. protest you attend.
2. Do something yourself.
Don’t just sit around. Learn a hobby. Join a competition. Build something. You’ll get a real sense of what it’s like to hold the fruits of your labor in your hand. You’ll find that your success doesn’t belong to “society” (however that’s defined), or to the government, or to the collective you were born into. It belongs to you. This realization is the first step to seeing meaning in your actions, and correspondingly, in the actions of others. It also provides you with hopes and dreams that don’t just include crushing your political foes.
3. Ask an individual how they’re doing (and mean it).
When we greet someone with “How are you?” it’s obvious we don’t expect an honest answer. But next time, seriously mean it. Try to learn about what they’re going through, their goals, their failures and successes. You’ll start to notice that the individual is infinitely more complex than we give him credit for when we make quick assumptions. He is not just a member of an ideological group we try to collectively define. He has a mind and opinions of his own.
Of course, there is a time and place for political disagreement. Actually, there are a few times and a few places for it. My point is that this should not define us. You and I need to take a step back and see what topics dominate our conversations. Remember, a country survives through personal bonds and tangible work, not talking points recited 24/7.
Start looking at the world in terms of families and local communities, in terms of individuals with hearts and souls like ours. When we do that, big changes start to happen. The future suddenly doesn’t seem as grim as what we’ve been rushing toward.
Garrett Gagliardi studies Accounting at Wilkes University and is a Media Ambassador for Young Americans for Liberty.
