Reflections on a Divided Generation
by Eryn Swann
Illustration by Mikayla LoBasso
Let’s get one thing straight. People are entitled to their own beliefs and political perspectives and affiliations. To quote Mike Pence during the 2020 Vice Presidential Debate, “You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.” Objectively, this statement is true and represents a small crack that has resulted in a greater divide that is shifting the US political landscape and is transforming social politics in almost all Western nations. The debate over facts versus opinion. While Pence’s sentiment may ring true for many people, its true meaning is lost when pitted against the modern reality that, irrespective of the plain truth and verified fact, most people (particularly those with extreme ideologies or agendas) will base their opinion deliberately in spite of that or ignorantly despite that. This is a dangerous trend that begins to deepen the chasm that is constantly being exposed via modern means but ultimately provides no solutions to this divide.
While many consider 2020 to be the top contender for the worst year ever, this feeling may have also been attributed to the highly contested US Election. November 3rd (and the days that followed) became one of the most contentious days of this entire year. But why? The lead up to the election was met with both major and minor setbacks that not only fuelled a desire for change for some but also ignited intense rage that had been brewing for the past 4 years. The most noteworthy and highly covered events that only spurred this unease included the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement. Unfortunately, these two disparate events, particularly the latter, exposed the deep fracture at the heart of American society and rippled across the world. Without getting into the politics behind these events, it’s important to note what can be learned from them and particularly, what this divisive year can teach us regardless of what you personally believe.
Tolerance
2020 appeared to be the year that a large proportion of people that claimed to be tolerant were exposed to be the least tolerant and actively worked to condemn every person who did not share their opinion. Tolerance is not entirely something that can be taught but can be consistently practiced. There will always be cavalier individuals and hordes to scream their opinions at the opposing side without regard for anyone else’s views or the reasoning behind those views, and subsequently brand those people with harmful and demeaning labels without either understanding the true definition of those terms or simply not care to hear or debate the antithetical viewpoint. What everyone from either side should seek to take away from this year is how to be more tolerant of every person, without a single negative assumption made, and instead listen to other people’s views, hear why they have them and rather than try to reason with them, respectfully agree to disagree. Some people may believe this to never be entirely possible due to internal biases and so forth. However, regardless of what you stand for or choose to believe in, any person is capable of showing tolerance to another, despite their differences. If you don’t at least believe that to be the bare bones of human decency, then maybe you should reflect on whether you are a truly tolerant person.
Hypocrisy
Yikes, this one made quite an appearance this year. Let’s break it down. If you truly believe what you say you believe then you will more than likely never be deemed a hypocrite nor be suspected of hypocrisy. However, nobody is perfect, and people are bound to make mistakes. But if making a mistake goes wholly against your vocally public principles then you should expect to receive the criticism that others will feel you rightfully deserve. Similarly to tolerance, the inability to be hypocritical cannot be taught, but as previously stated, if you actually practice what you preach then this will never be a problem. It is the people that see themselves as superior for their specific beliefs that are not capable of even seeing their own blatant hypocrisy, or simply hold views that oppose their actions due to the comfortability of modern life. Constructively, what can be learnt from this is to simply question your own beliefs: are you a wholehearted supporter of your cause, or are you only pretending to be? Objectively, if you feel it is not fair to be labelled a hypocrite if your everyday actions do not reflect your personal and public beliefs– then your views simply should not be made public. Otherwise, you will forever be doomed to face an onslaught of criticism, ranging from people who share your views and those who do not. It’s a slippery slope. If you have your opinions and choose to voice them to the world, are called out for hypocrisy, then proceed to hide behind the sentiment that not all people are perfect therefore you can’t be expected to forever follow your own outspoken ideologies, why should anyone else? It’s important to always consider whether or not any of your actions can create a positive impact or only further inflict communal disharmony. This is certainly a consideration that younger generations should ruminate on, as our personal lives predominantly become more public online and, while initially it may have its benefits, will undoubtedly have consequences.
Ultimately, it’s not hard to be a decent human being and understand that not all people are the same and therefore, do not all share your view on every aspect. Whether that be to circumstances which are entirely foreign to you or whether you have experienced the same events, it’s always important to refrain from judgement and learn why people have specific views or contrarily, have no views at all. Irrespective of what political aisle you are on or what figurative hill you want to die on, you should never be chastised for educating yourself and listening to others who have opinions that are different to your own.