There have been many challenges in 2020, not the least of which is the increasing division within our country. A number of unforeseen circumstances, most notably the COVID-19 pandemic, have magnified how differently we respond to crises. The combination of health concerns, social and racial unrest, and an upcoming presidential election may spur some to ask: Is America on the brink of a split?
The 2016 election was unlike any contest the nation had seen. Democrats placed an experienced, well-known political insider against a brash, billionaire reality TV star and lost. President Trump’s ability to incite emotion from part of the electorate that for too long felt ignored is what carried him to victory. And with many boundaries removed, the contest between the candidates and their vast supporters turned vicious.
In the years since, things have only seemed to get worse. There is little civility in the political sphere, as made evident by both the current administration and its opponents within Congress and the leftist media itself. Added on top of that is the cruelty displayed on social media on a daily basis.
To even a casual observer, the escalation is noticeable. Questions arise as to how a country filled with loyal Democrats and Republicans, who view the other as not just an ideological foe but an existential threat, can continue on in some semblance of unity. But despite appearances and very real concerns, we should not entertain the idea of a national divorce.
Many people consume news through social media. They also engage one another in debates on these mediums. Given their formats, these online echo chambers have a way of magnifying the worst of us. There is a collective impulse to argue in bad faith and assume most political enemies don’t just disagree with us but actively seek our destruction. However emotional these encounters are, they do not accurately represent real life as we know it in our neighborhoods and communities. If we would only step away from this type of discourse and engage with those around us, we would see that despite our differences, there is still much that unites us. The tendency to generalize about our adversaries is driven by both social media and broadcast media. There are those on the Left who prize extreme views, like Marxism, but it is not the majority. There are those on the Right who sympathize with racist thought, but it is not the majority. And supporting each major party candidate, which many do because they may feel there is no other option, does not automatically make you a radical.
As uncomfortable an idea as it may be, people of all political stripes must accept that we reside in a very diverse nation. Within these United States live people with backgrounds, ideologies, family units, and religious beliefs that don’t look like our own. These distinctions contribute to our strength. We may not look like, think, or personally believe as they do, but we can exist peacefully (sometimes not agreeably) with one another in a country that was established on protecting our freedoms. That history alone should cause us to pause and reexamine any calls for a national split or even a civil war.
Right now, the nation is being tested on many fronts. It is difficult to see even into the near future and wonder how so many competing thoughts can work together toward a common good. It would be easier to dismiss other people and assume they are evil simply because we disagree. It’s easier to maintain the online rage and call for a national divorce than it is to communicate with those around us.
The popular stance during times of turmoil may be to deepen our divide. However, the only way to honor the past and protect the future is to work toward a sense of shared unity. This means we may have to agree to disagree. The path that we must take requires accepting the great challenge of integrating with those around us.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
