Have you ever driven through a Trader Joe’s parking lot? The cars there are plastered with bumper stickers about world peace and coexisting, but those drivers will CUT YOU if you dare drive too slowly or accidentally try parking in the same spot they had their eyes on. (And it’s not just me–there’s a hashtag about this on Twitter: #traderjoesparking – check it out.)
Scrolling through a social media feed is a similar experience. So many people post about how #blessed they are, and how #KindnessMatters. But if something political comes up, they spew so much hatred–at politicians and at each other.
They hurl ugly insults, call each other stupid, accuse each other of being un-American.
Some recent examples: Rush Limbaugh announced he has what’s likely terminal cancer. Some of my friends, who I consider kind and loving people, posted that they were actually HAPPY he is facing death. Nancy Pelosi tore up her paper copy of Donald Trump’s speech and people I thought were mature are celebrating her toddler-tantrum-like behavior. Maybe his speech was bad, maybe it wasn’t, but ripping it up? Come ON. Other friends–at both ends of the political spectrum–share or repost items meant to offend or make fun of people whose views are different from theirs.
If our kids behaved like this, we’d reprimand them, right? We teach them the importance of kindness, but when we’re hiding behind our computers and phons, we don’t practice it.
To be clear, this is NOT a political post. I skim the Apple News headlines on my iPhone but I don’t even read about politics. (I’m not apathetic–when it comes time to vote, I do my research in several different places and make informed decisions, but I won’t be drawn into the circus!)
This IS a post about what we’re doing to each other, as a society.
Some of us are conservative and some of us are liberal, but deep down, we’re more the same than different. We all worry about how our kids will turn out, what we’re going to have for dinner, whether we’re going to be on time for an appointment. We think about our parents aging, whether we’re making the right career choices, and what to get our significant others for their birthdays. We love our friends! We like TV shows and movies and books.
More importantly, we all need connection. In other words, we need each other.
Photo by Kasuma
So when did it become on-trend, or even acceptable, to hate our fellow humans?
When our founding fathers designed our political system, elected officials were supposed to represent US, right? They were supposed to make decisions and create policies based on our best interests. Do you think ANY politician does that, these days? Today’s politicians are motivated by SO MUCH MORE than our best interests. They’re motivated by money, other politicians, social or political or business connections, special interests … EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.
The actions of today’s politicians from our president to Nancy Pelosi prove that THEY DO NOT REPRESENT US.
We, the humans who make up the American public, are better than that.
Aren’t we?
I read an article recently about mental health. In it, the writer talked about how our president and the political climate are fueling a mental health crisis (to be honest, I wouldn’t have started reading if I’d realized he was going to start talking politics). And judging by what I see on social media (and in Trader Joe’s parking lots), I think he’s wrong. WE are fueling the crisis. Rather than coming together, we’re fighting with each other on social media, spewing hatred at other people–members of our community.
We’re giving all these politicians the face time they want, and we’re creating rifts between one another.
Something needs to change, and we cannot wait for our elected officials to change it.
America is meant to be an inclusive place, where everyone is welcome. It’s a place where unique people come together as one. It’s a place where community is celebrated.
Isn’t it?
I believe a vast majority of Americans believe so.
And while our politicians’ actions don’t always represent this, I’d like to invite you, today, to LOVE your neighbor, to LOVE your fellow humans (all of them). To stop spreading the hate our politicians have been spreading. You’re not going to change anybody’s mind with your political posts on social media, anyway. If you want to have a calm discussion with someone who doesn’t share your views, have one. But do it with the maturity the discussion deserves. This is OUR country. It’s your community, your home. In every interaction with your fellow humans, respect that.
We can change the direction we’re headed. We can coexist. We can celebrate kindness.
But we have to do it TOGETHER. It all starts at home. Be kind. Be kind to your spouse, your kids, your pets. Be kind to the cashier at the grocery store, the driver who’s getting in a last-minute lane change. Be kind to your kids’ friends and teachers. Be kind to the person you pass as you’re walking down the street. For goodness’ sake, let the other guy have that prime parking spot at Trader Joe’s.
Photo by Helena Lopes
America is truly a special, wonderful place. And that’s in large part because of the people in it.
Let’s be wonderful, too — to each other.