#nation divided

A Nation Divided

Are We There Yet?

Are we there yet? In a simple sorrowful response, “No.” “Together” is a dream, “Oneness” and unity are concepts in a nation deeply divided and looking for its collective conscience. Where is that to be found in the midnight of America? This America questions the validity of a life clothed in a darker hue, the validity of its founding document, and it’s very soul. Scripture asks a question “Why…

A nation divided: Ireland’s abortion dilemma

Ireland will go to the polls to decide whether to end a ban on abortion.

Voters will be asked whether they want to repeal the 8th amendment – a section of the Irish Constitution that gives an unborn child and its mother equal right to life.

In the run up to the vote – Sky News spent time with campaigners on both sides, along with those directly impacted by the constitutional ban on abortion.

Sk…

Two Americas. #amwriting #poetry

I see two Americas

each believing they are right

polarized to different margins

there is no middle for them.

  I see two value systems

each in extreme form

leading many to believe

that they must choose.

  There is no middle ground

and your actions can’t be wrong,

if you are right.  Right?

After all, this is a fight.

  I see the colors fading,

only into black and white

there will be no gray, and…

America is facing another political turmoil. After the events of the past presidencies, such as 9/11 and the recession, the American people have been discontent. After given the choice between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, the people—or, more accurately, their representatives in the Electoral College—voted Trump into the presidency.

This is not another article by an outraged liberal, eager to vent online in order to gain support from like-minded individuals. Instead, this is about how the people who are disgruntled with the current administration as well as the people who are ecstatic with the administration can possibly reconcile. 

For months and months, I’ve been hearing politicians claiming that America is not as divided as it seems. This is, quite obviously, not true. We are more divided than ever—divided by our ideology. Whether we support immigration, universal health care, whether we are pro-life or pro-choice: it’s all decisive. It’s almost as if we can’t even interact with people who have different opinions unless it’s to scream at them that they’re an “uneducated conservative” or an “idiotic liberal”. 

As Americans, we know how important it is to have diversity: we were founded on diversity. It doesn’t matter what kind of diversity—racial diversity, ideological diversity, etc.—but it’s what defines America. We can coexist peacefully, each with our own opinion. In fact, this is a theory: pluralism. Our ideas come together, and we are able to compromise with each other. That’s unity.

 Unfortunately, we aren’t willing to compromise with each other. In fact, we don’t even take the moment to listen to each other. With social media and our limited comfort zone, we’re surrounded by people who share our thoughts and ideas. We don’t challenge ourselves to think of other things that maybe another ideology takes more seriously. We stay in our shells, constantly telling ourselves that we are right, then we take to social media, shouting at others who feel that they can change another person’s opinion by writing insults in all caps.

Perhaps, if we take a moment to listen to others, our opinions may change. If we can carefully plan a thought-out argument, perhaps we will be able to convey why we support something and why others should support it too. If we are able to let go of our opinions for just a brief moment and look at the world around us with an unbiased viewpoint, perhaps we can get along without the need to resort to violence, fear, and hatred.