Why You Should Talk Politics This Thanksgiving

Image via Dispatch

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Thanksgiving gets a bad rap. Many dread the awkward conversations at the table or seeing a 

family member they may only see twice a year, and—most unwanted—when the conversation turns political. It starts with one comment then balloons into a screaming match. Despite this, I personally encourage you to speak about politics. It can be tough and frustrating, but it is necessary.

Political polarization is defined as the growing ideological divide between groups, most common between Republicans and Democrats in American politics. A Gallup poll in 2024, found that 80 percent of Americans believe they disagree on the most important beliefs. 

I personally believe that two things can be true at once. You can love someone, and disagree with them. You can adore someone, and be aghast at who they voted for. In my mind, nothing in life is truly absolute. No one’s beliefs completely align with any one party or candidate, and most people agree on some issues and disagree on others. In heated times, we, as humans, often conform to absolutes. We believe that this person is a “bad person” because they voted a certain way. I refuse to believe that a person votes with the intention of causing harm to others. Most subscribe to the belief that they are voting in their best interests. Some even believe they are choosing the lesser of the two evils. 

However, I do acknowledge that both politicians and political parties do things that are inhumane and immoral, and their actions have consequences. Some of my family members and I are on completely opposite sides of the political spectrum. We disagree on some major issues and agree on others. At times our debates can turn heated, with us just saying “we’ll agree to disagree.” That, in my mind, is healthy. If you choose to surround yourself with people who only think like you, you limit yourself. No two people share the exact same opinions, we are all human and we are all individuals. Though people may share similar beliefs, no two people have the exact same beliefs, because we all have vastly distinct lived experiences. So, if you choose to surround yourself with people who only hold similar beliefs, you subscribe yourself to a narrow-minded view of the world. A view of the world with significantly less understanding than had you participated in friendly political discussions. 

This understanding of disagreement sets the stage for why civil discourse is so important. Civil discourse is defined as speaking on political matters to promote a greater understanding. Civil discourse is in our human nature. From ancient times, we have been debating and arguing about politics. In Ancient Greece, philosophers and politicians would get into heated debates about politics. They would write intensely and even curated their own political philosophy. Plato and his student Aristotle had completely opposite views on many subjects. Aristotle’s political philosophy is largely seen as more practical opposed to the more idealist Plato. 

Speaking politics shouldn’t be scary, it should be comforting. Freedom of speech is supported by the 1st amendment. Why not exercise it? In fact, we are very fortunate to live in a democracy. It is sheer luck that we do not live in a censored dictatorship where there are serious penalties to freedom of speech. In other countries, people cannot speak against the government out of the fear that it might cost them their lives.

On both sides of the spectrum there are extremes and extremists. But the majority of people are closer to the center. Centrists are defined as people who hold moderate views. That is why our elections are not predetermined and hard to predict. Many people do not have very strong ideological beliefs, but rather vote for specific candidates. The only way you can be more informed is if you push yourself, read more and, most importantly, listen more. Listen to what people are saying, no matter what you think about what they are saying. You could think they are speaking a different language and saying things that drive you crazy. That in itself is an accomplishment, not speaking over people and listening helps bridge the divide between both parties. 

That is why this Thanksgiving I encourage you to talk about politics. Talk politics with the people you love. Whether or not you agree or disagree, the more you talk about politics, the more comfortable you become with talking with others. The more you talk about politics, the less polarized we as a society become. Politics can be polarizing, but it does not have to be. Love always prevails; no matter how much you disagree, you can and should still love the people you disagree with. The world would be boring if we were all the same. 

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This article was edited by Peter Leyba and Ryan Scriven.