THE elections brought something quite different from what I’d seen in the past. I found myself learning something new and experiencing the unexpected during the elections. I observed and learned a lot.
Common during the elections was how people cut off others from their lives. They stopped interacting with others whose political choices were not to their liking. I’ve seen it happen everywhere, but especially with family and friends.
This could be left unspoken because we are a society that believes we shouldn’t go against family. I’ve yet to be ignored or cut off for my political beliefs—well, unless they’ve already done it without me knowing. I try to be objective, to the point that I wonder if I am too lukewarm in my decisions and beliefs. I listened to friends and family on why they were choosing a certain candidate. I didn’t immediately judge them, but I kept my thoughts to myself and shared facts or opinions I’d heard. I don’t always agree with everyone, and I give my opinion only when I’m sure. When someone has a different political belief from mine, I don’t label him as ignorant, but I don’t think you can easily change someone’s mind. When I hear family and friends with different views from mine, do I respect their opinion, or leave them to their doom?
I saw friends who were a bit braver about their convictions. I’ve seen friendships broken when someone believed a friend had become “toxic” and went against what they stood for. I mean, fighting and debating becomes awkward, too. I’ve seen friends on social media post their political stance, and I found out later their family believed the opposite. What some friends did was try to enlighten their family members, while others just ignored them and didn’t support them. I’ve heard from family members who expressed to me how relieved they were when someone had the same beliefs as they did. They told me how they could not express their own political beliefs to family. I’ve seen a lot of family members with different views. They just let each other be, debated and fought, or joked around.
I’ve seen a lot of people my age fight for their beliefs—was that critical thinking? Or just stubbornness?
I’ve seen a lot of people my age fight for their beliefs, and debate with friends and their own family. Was that critical thinking? Were they just being stubborn, or going with the flow?
Was ruining friendships over opposing views worth it? It’s a personal decision that boils down to if you can face the person and talk to him. Maybe some people thought the opposing opinions of friends did more damage to the common good. At the end of the day, it is what choice can you live with, and can give you peace of mind.
For those who lost friends, try to understand why, but also, you shouldn’t force yourself to become what they want you to be. I want to keep friends and family happy, but I realize that if they don’t have the values I uphold, keeping a distance is necessary.
I decided my vote at the last minute. It was a moment of pressure. My decision was backed by some research and observation. I concluded that I needed to vote based on what mattered most to me. While my research could have been more meticulous, I did listen to news and try to find reliable sources. I observed the candidates, the people around them, and their supporters. I found out I didn’t like how some supporters acted towards opposing sides. A thing I kept in mind was that news could be subjective. It was good to go beyond what you saw in the news and beyond people’s views.
Picking the best person for the job is our job as citizens. I experienced how people fought for their right to vote, and chose their leader. It was good.
One of the saddest and probably most sobering things I learned is that no candidate is perfect. No one seemed to be right for me. I used to believe that we elect the candidate with the traits that we can live with—not good enough, but it made me decide my vote. To the next elections, I will carry over different views and lessons from these elections.
One of the saddest and probably most sobering things I learned is that no candidate is perfect
My other error was that I didn’t search beyond platforms, actions, or whatever was posted. I was saved when someone shared distressing news about certain candidates. Knowing things beyond the candidates’ given platforms was an important lesson for me. Note to self: Next time, be better prepared.
But why search through voting information and prepare yourself mentally to vote for your candidates? Because we have the opportunity to do so. Even with all the bad things we see on the internet, this is to our advantage. This is our time to study and practice our democracy, by picking the best person for the job. Why settle for anything less than what you want? But I also realized that not a lot of people have the same opportunity to search. Lack of avenues can be a problem—it’s both enlightening and sad.
I tried to be objective. I wish I could vote for the person I wanted without anyone bothering me. I heard so many views, but not as many as I think I should have. It could be very overwhelming.
Another thing I found rather selfish but which I considered was, who would most likely remember me, an ordinary citizen, someone who is neither rich nor poor?
Now I wonder, after we bash each other over our candidates, do these same candidates really feel as sincerely as their supporters? Or will they just turn chummy to people whom they’ve just bashed themselves, just shake hands so that they can look good? I don’t advocate fighting, but I do advocate for people with different views to help things progress. It’s good if as many views as possible are actually heard by people who now have the position and power.
We deserve someone who fights for everyone’s convictions and values. It means they follow or listen to not only those who surround them. We need someone who remembers everyone.
As voters, we carry a responsibility that is easy to take for granted. Always remember, don’t be scared to make a decision. But be wary: whoever you vote for will carry burdens and privileges beyond your capacity and control.
