Like many millennials, Megan Rapinoe has family who voted for President Trump.
The U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star has been an outspoken critic of the current administration, but she told the Guardian that, to her dismay, her family probably voted for the president.
“I think my dad voted for Trump and I’ll say: ‘I don’t get it. How are you simultaneously as proud as punch of me, and watching Fox News all the time, [who are doing] takedowns of your daughter?’ That’s why I’m like: ‘You guys need to go to therapy,’” she said in a feature published over the weekend.
Rapinoe finds herself in the same spot as many other millennials. Despite her liberal beliefs, her family maintains opposite political leanings, and she has to find a way to get along with them anyway.
Rapinoe’s parents have been supportive of the soccer star, who infamously said she wouldn’t go to the “f—ing White House,” but they do still fight over their political beliefs.
“There’s been some major blow-ups,” Rapinoe said. “There’s definitely been some dust-ups.”
Too many familial relationships have been destroyed over online blow-ups, and since 2016, friendships have ended over everything from the presidential election to the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
By recognizing what she and her parents have in common, Rapinoe seems to be willing to maintain her relationships despite political discord, which appears to be an increasingly uncommon commitment.
“I feel like I grew up with all of these lessons [about equality], but nothing was ever spoken. No language was ever put around it. Both of my parents should be really progressive — especially my mom — and I don’t get that they’re not,” she said. “I’m always saying: ‘You guys should really be Democrats!’ But they’re not, so what’s happening?”
Rapinoe may not understand why her parents aren’t Democrats (they may also wonder why she is one) but she sounds like she’s interested in trying to understand. This attitude is the first step toward having meaningful conversations, which is important considering she hasn’t expressed interested in listening to the other side before. Last month, she said she would go to Washington only to speak with someone “that believes in the same things we believe in.”
With her family, Rapinoe has found common ground, even if they don’t agree on specific policies. If only she could extend this philosophy to other relationships. Civility starts in the home, but it shouldn’t end there.
