Division as a Weapon

Politics and the hot topics that surround it are used to divide us. If that's true, how can politicians preach unity?

Growing up, I loved spending time with my dad watching tv together even though most of the time we weren’t watching shows that I liked. I just wanted to be near him (even when he fell asleep like in the picture above). 

He loved Star Trek, so I watched Star Trek. He watched the Minnesota Vikings football team, so I sat next to my usually sunshiny disposition of a dad yelling, “God Bless America” at the tv when they fumbled the ball. 

But, the one thing that I could not stomach watching with him were political debates. I would try, but the way they went at each other left me sick to my stomach. The energetic hate between the politicians felt like it came through the screen, directly into our living room and sprayed a film of dark, agitated soot into our peaceful home. It was just too much for me.

Politics in our country has always been about us versus them. I prefer unity. Ironically, all politicians throughout history claim they are trying to unify people. 

At the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump said, “The discord and division in our society must be healed…We rise together. Or we fall apart.” 

Kamala Harris said, “Our unity is our strength, and our diversity is our power. We reject the myth of “us” vs. “them.” We are in this together.”

Erase the names in front of the quotes to avoid confirmation bias and they both sound idealistic. But, underneath both quotes includes the common denominator of “as long as you think like me.” 

Being caught in the middle of the political hot topic in April 2021 after I suffered a severe reaction to my second COVID vaccine, I was so saddened to see how the vaccine divided politicians, neighbors, and the most heartbreakingly of all, family members.

My vantage point was one I would never wish on anyone, but it provided so much clarity. Prior to my reaction, I was eager to get the vaccine to “do my part.” I like to think that if I hadn’t had a reaction that I would be sympathetic to those who wanted a choice in the matter.

After my reaction, I certainly understood why someone would not want to take the vaccine. I also learned a number of truths first hand that those who had done their homework and were refusing the vaccine probably knew. If you had a reaction, doctors didn’t yet know how to help you and the PREP Act plus the laws passed in 1986 kept pharmaceutical companies from having any liability. 

Not only that, but your reaction was labeled as misinformation, so everywhere you turned you had to work to prove that the mostly invisible symptoms that you needed obscure tests to validate, were real. 

Division around the hot topic of the vaccine has now melted away as the upcoming election focuses on other hot divisive topics. But what hasn’t melted away is the trauma people have stored in their bodies after they were excluded from family Thanksgivings because they weren’t vaccinated. 

Division is a cornerstone of politics. Division is also always the cornerstone where power and money are at play. Pick an issue and pick a side. Pick a side so you stop thinking about the money and the power behind the issue and start hating those who think differently than you.

We form exclusive groups, much less often in person now, and more often virtually, that are fed by algorithms. Who does this actually serve? Does it help us as individuals? Does it help us as a community? 

During the next few weeks before the elections as division escalates in our neighborhoods, potentially among family members and certainly with the information being fed to us by algorithms, I urge you to pause and consider how you feel in your gut. 

My stomach told me to walk away from the tv when my dad turned on the political debates. Perhaps you love political debates and it leaves you energized rather than sick to your stomach. Either way, pay close attention to where your energy is going. 

Are you actually moving towards unity, love and a true breaking down of the “us versus them” stance? If you are, you will know. Your body will soften and your skin will glow. You will feel energized and connected. 

Spend time in real life with the people you love even if, like my dad, they watch tv shows you don’t like. Or even if they disagree with you about all of the hot topics we are taught make people good or bad. You don’t have to watch those tv shows that you don’t like or even discuss those hot topics, if it is too much. 

I am asking you to just be with them. Set your differences aside and soften your heart.

Be careful with the media you consume and lean into real life. Lean into those around you who will be at your bedside when you are sick. Who will be the shoulder you cry on when the world has got you down. 

Lean into building true community built on love. Lean into real life Team Humanity.