“We get together like a choir, to acquire what we desire”
– Jay-Z on “Can’t Knock the Hustle“
Sometimes, I look around and become amazed and how divided people have become. For us, as a nation, to be in the same boat and want the same things…and be so hateful towards each other…it surprises me. Now, I realize it’s not everyone and the media tends to exaggerate how bad it is…but when you see it yourself, it’s krazy. And so I’m writing this Opinions Column tackling a topic I’ve talked on before…coming together…again.
Before diving too deep though, let’s rewind a second and welcome you to the October 2016 Opinions Column. For those that are new to the site, welcome welcome…this is where I talk about whateverrr’s on my mind. For those returning, welcome back! And here we go.
So with election season in fullllll swing, everyone seems to be so divided. I don’t know what it is about politics, but it becomes so heated that it’s uncomfortable to even talk about sometimes. Some people are extremely passionate about their candidate, party, etc. that they can’t see straight. Like if you can just for a second remove yourself from the situation and look at the situation objectively, it can be so valuable. Yet people still get really fired up and it’s hard to reason with them. And sometimes, it gets to the point where we become so divided that coming together seems out of reach.
Case in point. Last year, I wrote an article about this very topic and received backlash. I talked about Muslim-Americans and what they’re facing and why it’s important to respect everyone. I mean, how do you disagree with that? I get it, you love your country but it’s not YOUR country…it’s OUR country. It belongs to all Americans (yes, even the ones with different faiths), not just you.
I recently flew in a plane a month ago and sat next to an older gentleman. He was a retired aviation engineer (or something along those lines) that talked to me throughout the flight about his life. Of course, he brought up the election and what I thought. He expressed to me how he’s a Trump supporter and why it means so much to him. And just last week, I sat next to a woman on a plane who was a Hillary supporter. She expressed to me why, and wanted to know what went through peoples’ minds that voted for the opposition. It was nice to have somewhat of a civil conversation with both people about their stances and why they support the candidate. But when it turns into name-calling, disrespect, and even violence, what is happening to us?
Now I’m super invested into this election and I can see why you’d be passionate…there’s a lot on the line. But I can’t see why you’d resort to such extremes when we’re all supposed to be Americans. It’s in the spirit of the country to come together and support your neighbor. Somewhere along the way though, we’ve gotten away from that. And when things like black lives matter or the treatment of Muslim-Americans become a political issue, it’s like what the hell? What are we doing? Why does the election bring out the ugliest in people?
If anything, I’d hope we can come together and put our differences aside. Maybe I’m asking for too much, who knows? But I wish that we can get there, one day.
Look out for new music in the coming months as I ready my next video. That’ll do it for me though.
Stay up, stay safe, and hold ya head. Ajaxxx signing out, PEACE!
