I am a Democrat and Love Republicans
By: Seraphine Darcy
Tags: Democrats, Republicans, Democratic Party, Society, Republican Party

Nowadays it is quite important to have an opinion on everything. It’s tiring. Especially, when you feel obligated to fight people online, on the streets or even in your home because of these opinions. Feminists, men’s rights. Pro-life, pro-choice. Trump, Obama. And I will tell you how we are all a little in wrong.

News and Media

It is in human nature that we like to face things that we find likeable. Things that are easy for us to swallow. Opinions, movements and people we disagree with us infuriate us and that is where I know we are wrong.

Manipulation in our world is way too easy now. Earlier the only way we could receive fake news was through a gossipy neighbour. But now that we have smartphones, TV’s, billboards on every corner, it would be surprising if certain people wouldn’t take advantage of that. We are lazy. If it doesn’t directly benefit us, we won’t do anything. Because why would we? It doesn’t fill us with good feelings and we won’t have food from it. That is the main weakness of spreading information through the internet. People won’t search it up and see if it is true. I could link down references to this article and you will never click on them.

It wouldn’t be such damage if the internet and social media showed us the same things, but just as the filters on Snapchat, it only shows us what it thinks we want to see. Are you a woman? It will show you pretty dresses and curling irons. Do you like sweets? Your Instagram will fill with cakes and brownies. Are you a Democrat? It will show you what Republicans did wrong and what did Democrats do right.

And that is exactly it. You will never see the other side of the coin when you refuse to flip it.

Are Republicans a different breed?

I disagree with most Republicans. Whether it is their idea of LGBTQ+ rights or gun ownership. If anything I should hate the idea of a Republican, right?

But I don’t.

Just like Democrats, Republicans can do good things and just like Republicans Democrats can do bad ones. The world is filled with opinions and even though we are different and we disagree doesn’t mean we should hate each other. What if your friend, who you love would be a Democrat, while you are a Republican? Would you abandon them? Is having different views on the world one of the reasons for divorce? I am not saying that you should not fight for what you think is right, but that does not mean that you should throw hateful glares at someone who is fighting for what they think is right.

Why is it good that there are sides?

Have you ever doubted yourself? When you argue with someone, do you sometimes change your mind a little bit and argue differently? Did you ever abandon your opinion completely and realised that you were wrong all along?

Doesn’t challenging yourself with a different point of views, people and news mean that you are growing?

Republicans and Democrats exist so they can challenge each other. Throw arguments at each other and state different facts, so you can decide.

Follow people you disagree with, discuss politics with someone of a different opinion. Get out of your comfort zone.

Or are you scared that the point of view of others might prove you wrong?