As I sit in a Portuguese coffee shop pondering the results of the American election, following a downpour rendering the sky grey AND absorbing all the hate and conflict spamming my social feeds,
I try and separate myself from it to find objectivity in the learnings.
This is both by way of choice and natural reaction. I believe this to lift the emotional weight of such a time and act as a constructive way to delve into a fascinating time to be alive;
So much change, so much to be drawn from unrested times. It’s electric.
Moreover, politics has never been a comfortable domain for me. I find it confusing, constantly fraught, and somewhat intangible..? (The latter because it’s almost a talent show…a more suited and psychologically-manipulating version of the X factor.)
e.g. Hey, did you know officials wearing blue give off the impression they’re more trustworthy than those in red? You do now (colour psychology 101).
This morning I was really quite shocked. I paused for a minute and thought ‘why?’
Why is it always us and them?
It’s not.
We are a nation – a world divided. Just as we are every year in history about something…
What the eye doesn’t see, the mind can.
Let’s decipher the split.
The hard-etched line down the middle this year.
The US and UK have made bold choices, because they’re craving change. Not all of them, but a good portion. Why? What is going on in the world that has led to this?
I look down my Twitter feed and see a number of organisations jumping on bandwagons and retweeting celeb opinions. I dislike this culture. I don’t think companies should express a political opinion which could alienate consumers (myself included), nor do I think advertising campaigns should be allowed in politics full stop.
It’s all a facade. Where have the facts been stuffed?
On a lower level, even people I know in my social feeds who are shouting opinions seem to dampen my day. I feel disappointed. I understand freedom of speech, but I disapprove of those inflicting opinions and judgment on others no matter their stance.
We are all human. We all have feelings, thoughts, direction, access to all sorts of information and most importantly, individual experiences of this world. Who has the right to tell others what they should feel/think?
Everyone should be listened to. And deep down (other than those cold-hearted few), I bet there is good intention in everyone’s vote. I truly believe the majority are not xenophobes, racists or any other ‘ist’ and many should not be chucked into those camps for voting such a way.
On the other hand, I don’t think all those voting another way are righteous. There are pros and cons in every argument. However there’s a clear good vs. bad labelling which I find discouraging in current times.
In all, what is being angry and hating doing for human progress?
Not that much. I may dislike what some leaders stand for but I will listen and try to learn things.
The results should be looked at as a challenge, a way to better the world.
How can we use this new wave to get to where we want to be?
It may be difficult, but it’s not the end.
So my message is:
From 2016 voting, it’s clear politics doesn’t offer the people what they want.
Heck the choices for political leaders/movements are far from expansive?!
It's only black and white it seems - this or that.
Where are the options to fit the plethora of needs and aims?
People are quick to attach a vote for a side, with a political leader and box them up with a bow on it.
No. Not all Republican voters agree with what Trump stands for and not all Democrats are Hilary supporters/vice versa.
The long and short of it – there is no choice.
Where are the options to fit the plethora of needs and aims?
People are quick to attach a vote for a side, with a political leader and box them up with a bow on it.
No. Not all Republican voters agree with what Trump stands for and not all Democrats are Hilary supporters/vice versa.
The long and short of it – there is no choice.
With this, some voters fall on strategy; perhaps the lesser of two evils (of their reality).
Is this the way our societies should be represented? And should voters even be blamed in such a situation?
The reality? We should be unpicking what has happened and what is happening to get to this stage…
Some people vote because they firmly agree with a certain direction, some people don’t feel listened to and want to assert their voices regardless of the outcome, and some people don’t really know what will occur due to the mounds of information out there; good, bad, real or phoney.
In the end, no one really knows.
On a ground level, we need more understanding and open-mindedness towards each other – what makes us tick as individuals, why people voted, less catagorisation and judgment and a better use of language – it's not black and white.
Not everyone is a bad guy for being on the opposite team…but it’s easy to brand everyone with the same brush right?
Check out this TED TALK 'Can a divided America heal? for further delving.
Check out this TED TALK 'Can a divided America heal? for further delving.
Here’s a moment where a man is enjoying one of life's little wonders to bring you peace today:
From my IG @a_blanx
