Friendship and Politics

Think of someone you know personally that has different political views than you. Who comes to mind? Are you on good terms with them? Are you, dare I say...friends? Everyone has their own view of politics based on their experiences and values. No two people are the same and being friends with someone with differing political views or parties can be frustrating yet beneficial. There are many factors to consider when being friends with someone who has opposing views from you. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to get along with everyone, but knowing what to do when you’re stuck in a heated argument can help you preserve your friendships.

Whether or not you choose to discuss politics with your friends is up to you. Politics will always be a sensitive topic, especially with people who you’re close to. It can make or break friendships and even familial relationships. People become very passionate about things that hugely impact their lives and can lash out when someone close to them doesn’t see eye to eye. The first step to coming together despite your differences is to listen. This is something that people don’t do enough. We jump to conclusions too quickly and speak our mind before we know the entirety of the situation. We can ask our friends more in-depth questions about their political stances. Have them explain their reasons for supporting a certain candidate or condoning a certain law or action. This will allow them to form a comprehensive response for their stance. Having these open-minded conversations will help us better understand each other and our ideologies. Another approach people don’t take as often is empathizing with others. Look at the situation in the other person’s shoes. Ask yourself, why does he or she believe in this? What is his/her background in terms of culture, ethnicity, and possibly religion? There are various reasons behind people’s political beliefs, but the arguments won’t end until we understand why we’re arguing in the first place. The first step to improving the world we live in is to acknowledge and understand the many different perspectives we all have.

Even after discussing your views, you and your loved one still might not be able to see eye to eye. The next step is to agree to disagree! Sometimes, no matter what we say, one’s pride, ego, or ignorance won’t make a person alter their beliefs. It’s definitely not the end of a friendship if you can’t agree with someone. If you don’t want to risk losing their friendship, make sure to let them know that you respect their beliefs and stances and ask for their respect in return. You can still be friends with someone that doesn’t agree with you on everything, but if you truly believe that you’ve been hurt by their words or their beliefs, it may be a better idea to step away from that friendship until you feel comfortable talking to them about it. Let them know how you feel and have a conversation about your differences. If you do end up losing that friend, it probably wasn’t the right time for you to meet them, and that’s okay. You were at least able to express your thoughts and feelings to them in a calm manner. They may even look back one day and remember the way you were able to converse with them despite your differences.

You won’t be able to get along with everyone, no matter how outgoing or social you are - it’s just the truth. Your political views may be the reason, or it could be a plethora of other causes. It’s always good to be friends with people who you can get along with despite your differences. If your views are bigger than just you two and you can’t meet in the middle, it may be the time to rethink your relationship with them. Don’t be afraid to step away from people whose morals and values don’t align with yours. Continue having the important conversations to better understand the people in your life and their ideas.

Name: Shifa Malik

Editor: Nathalia Ramissoon

Graphic Designer: Katherine Chacon

Photographer: India Jones