Thanksgiving is ubiquitously known throughout the United States as the day where “calories don’t count,” and everyone goes around the table giving superficial responses to the question, “what are you grateful for?” Truly an iconic American holiday characterized by unity and gluttony. However, with the recent presidential election having divided the nation, tensions between family members seem almost palpable, as many worry about the impending discourse the family feast will bring.
Today, according to Pew Research Center, 61% of US adults are not only accustomed to family feuds over politics, but find it to be an incredibly frustrating normalcy. Given the current climate with the election having been only a few weeks ago, it is very apparent that the level of acrimony within this country is almost tangible. From the day results came out, voters took to social media divulging the previous night’s events, and making vile remarks about those of the opposing political party.
One could argue that this is simply a few radicals, but even humble “influencers” paused their regular content to vent about their extreme dissatisfaction or satisfaction over the presidential election results. Comment sections were inundated with equally passionate viewers, vehemently expressing their opinions and arguing back and forth with complete strangers. To this day, posts are still being made over the election results, with celebrities and even politicians perpetuating the negativity and discourse.
It’s truly disheartening to see such a gaping chasm between fellow Americans, and an anonymous freshman at Mount Saint Mary shared that “the way people are so angrily passionate makes it hard to talk to them. It’s good to have an active democracy, of course, but it’s about how you express yourself and a lot of people are going about it all wrong.”
Reportedly, 73% of Americans prioritize family over all other things, including friends or even best friends as published by Pew Research Center. However, looking at the fact that Pew Research also reported 66% of voters between the ages of 18-24 are Democrats while 34% are Republicans, the saying “blood is thicker than water” may be truly put to the test this Thanksgiving.
With many young people, and even people in general, their friends are usually a reflection of themselves in terms of values, whether that be religiously, morally, or in this case, politically. Having observed several college students fervently post about their political bias, it’s highly unlikely that Thanksgiving will pass without some strained relations after divulging each family member's political stance.
This is a legitimate concern of many, as Malachi Williams, a freshman at the University of Delaware, expressed that “a lot of people are immature and truly don’t see people with different views as someone they can ever be friends or share any other commonalities with. It’s that single minded thinking that’s ruining us and it’s sad.”
This Thanksgiving, the election results may overshadow the true meaning of the season. Discourse and tumultuousness will likely arise, and expletives may be thrown around instead of sentiments of gratitude. But, it should be in the forefront of everyone’s mind that even if the results were undesirable, the fact still stands that we have to learn to live with one another, even if our values don’t align. One can’t be skewed so far in any way that they completely villainize their fellow Americans who disagree with them.
Instead of arguing this Thanksgiving, families should be grateful for the fact that is taken for granted: we can vote, and we can do so out of our own volition, which is not something that the entire rest of the world has the privilege to do.
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