If you’re feeling upset, stressed, or just plain confused this November, you’re not alone. Trust me, I’m increasing my medication as I speak.
How can you feel safe and comfortable about politics if you can’t discuss it without starting an argument? Consider these common attitudes:
“She’s your grandma, you can’t argue with her.”
“Ignore my boyfriend, he didn’t mean it like that.”
“This is my workplace, so we can’t discuss it.”
You can’t talk about the topics and beliefs that most affect your life without being called “rude.” Please tell me what is rude about demanding to know why I believe what I believe.
As someone who has dreamed of voting in my first presidential election since I was 8 years old, it’s hard to know that I can barely admit who I’m voting for or why I’m voting the way I am. It’s very frustrating. Because that is now considered an attack. .
Contrary to popular belief, it is impossible for an individual to be nonpartisan. Politics is the world you live and breathe every day.
Being partisan is objectively not a bad thing. Hooray, you have core values. Being partisan means you can have conversations that actually have an impact.
It’s not revolutionary to want to have a moderate conversation, but it’s most effective when you can understand and grow from new perspectives.
Have you ever sat in a room full of people with pretty much the same opinion? That really sucks. You sit around and moan about the same issues that are making everyone angry. You agree with each other and have your own back.
But what did we get? Does your hatred towards the other person become stronger? Great, the political divide has grown even bigger.
As most of us are aware, these conversations are no walk in the park. They are difficult and require a lot of courage. This stress accumulates, but it doesn’t have to prevent you from working in government, where you should have a say.
Whether you’re dealing with election stress or everyday anxiety, Central Michigan University has plenty of resources to help.
CMU has a 24/7 hotline and resources available to students. There’s no need to be embarrassed or afraid to ask for help.
You can also join various registered student organizations on campus that aim to understand the current political climate and how to vote. Central voting is a great way to learn about the decisions you have to make. Or, if you want to join your political party, both political parties have RSOs on campus.
Currently, my personal favorite way to balance stress is to write out all my thoughts. I write down what I’m scared of and why I find it scary. My latest fear has been that a few specific politicians are threatening my reproductive rights and my right to fight. I’ve addressed this issue by listing all possible scenarios and ways to avoid it.
Another option I would recommend to anyone is to have an open-ended conversation. Talk to your roommate about how people sitting at the table and yelling at you make you anxious. (P.S. I’m one of the people planning on attending the RSO. Apologies in advance.)
You can rant, cry, or even throw your shoe at the wall. Well…maybe it’s better not to throw shoes, but you get my point.
The bottom line is that you can’t lump all your anger and stress into this season. Express your thoughts before you write your vote on your ballot. Otherwise, your vision of who to vote for, or even if you should vote at all, can become clouded.
Your vote matters, and so do you.
Keara Banks is a freshman political science major with minors in public law and leadership.
