Corey Hadfield

Photo Illustration, “A Divided America”

Millard West

2/28/2017 Together We Stand Divided | Pawprint

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Together We Stand DividedLauren Dubas December 8th, 2016 No comments

The recent election divided America, but we must remember to stand together. Photo Illustration by editor in chief CoreyHadᘀ市eld.

Hillary versus Trump. Republican versus Democrat.

Over the past few months, we have heard just about everybody we know discussing politics. What’s right? What’s wrong?How should we deal with these crises?

America is divided.

It’s not simply a red or blue issue, or about what’s right and what’s wrong. The issue runs deeper.

The truth is the country is divided, because America is scared.

We are scared. Our friends are scared. Our whole country is scared.

We are not saying everyone feels fear in the same way, to the same degree, or even about the same things. We are sayingour division stems from a fear of being unheard. Brushed oᘀ�. Misunderstood. Regardless of aᘀىخliation, if anyone caresabout politics, he/she is either worried or have worried about something.

Even our own staᘀ� is divided in this sense. Some of us are worried for the LGBTQ+ community due to our Vice President-elect Mike Pence’s past. Some of us question why their problems should aᘀ�ect us, if we aren’t associated with them. Thenanother group argues LGBTQ+ rights aren’t what we should worry about.

We can apply this theme to other issues too. Some people are worried about what to do about our debt, immigration, orgun control. Some people worry about social rights or corrupt politicians. Some worry the system is just a popularitycontest. The list goes on and on.

And being scared is a hard thing to admit. But we have to admit it, because being worried isn’t a bad thing.

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2/28/2017 Together We Stand Divided | Pawprint

http://www.westwildcats.org/news/together­we­stand­divided/ 2/2

Being concerned means we care about our government. It means we are invested in our future. It means we want to solveproblems and move forward as a country. And we want our voices to be heard.

But with everyone screaming out their opinion, it’s easy to feel like you are not being heard above all of the noise. It’s just aseasy for others to brush oᘀ� someone else’s concerns. It’s easy to argue, “The president can’t actually do that withoutCongress.” It’s easy to ask, “Why can’t you see my sides of things?”

Above all this controversy, we must remember that we are people.

Everyone is raised in diᘀ�erent environments, growing up with diᘀ�erent people, values, and experiences. Some issuesare always going to be more personal for people. Other people may think impartially about other’s issues.

That is where the true divide lies.

If there was a single right way to look at issues, there would be no need for red and blue.

The nation must remember to be proud that we live in a country like America. Where we can express our opinions. Where wehave the chance to decide who runs our government, and how. That is our common ground.

America doesn’t need to agree on issues. People just need to listen. Need to be open to new ideas and to various ways ofthinking. Need to realize no one thinks in the same way. Understand when someone takes an issue personally. People haveto stop arguing about who is right and wrong, and start thinking about what is best for our country. We need to make surepeople feel heard.

And, as a staᘀ�, making people feel heard is our job. What we strive to do every week.

It would be easier for us to ignore the controversial topics. Blame ignorance on a lack of education on a topic and leave itat that. But we want students to express their opinions and tell their stories. Let the world know how they feel. Let the worldknow how we feel.

It is our constitutional right to be able to express our opinions. We want to help people ᘀ市nd their voice and share theirperspective with the world. Nobody can take that away.

So on behalf of the Pawprint, we ask our readers to let people have their opinions. Let them share their truths with theworld, and if you disagree, we hope you share your own truths with the world.

All we can ask is that you respect others, and try to understand where someone else is coming from.

We ask that even if we are divided, we stand together as citizens of the United States of America.

 

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