An Open Letter responding to “Our Nation’s Very Soul”

“We are engaged in a battle for our nation’s very soul.”

We are indeed battling for the soul of our country. We are fighting for its very essence, and we must protect ourselves and our communities.

That is what democracy was made for.

Below are some thoughts I have about “Our Nation’s Very Soul,” an article warning against partisan fighting and asking readers to consider the beliefs we as Americans have in common. Further down, I have also included some views the reader should consider as a whole, as there is a broader issue at hand.

 

Democratic Socialism

Even if you believe Socialism is to blame for the tragic state of Venezuela, it is important to realize that most Democrats are not Socialists. Some of the louder leaders who are labeled Socialists are actually Democratic Socialists. 

Let’s break it down further. Socialism, Communism and Democratic Socialists are three different things. Democratic Socialism has helped to create a successful balance between capitalism and socialism in countries like Finland, Denmark, France and more. These countries are not socialist, but the adopted social policies which is the goal of the Democratic Socialists. 

 

Voter Suppression

Voter suppression is a real thing whether or not it is currently being used to rig an election. If funding for the USPS is lowered and mail service is slowed, voters could be disenfranchised by delayed mail-in-ballots. It is currently uncertain what is in store for the future of the USPS since there are updates on the situation daily. 

Although there is the original alternative of in-person voting, there is a shortage of poll workers and some people cannot physically go to understaffed polling stations.

 

The Government Impacts Us

Elections also give leaders an enormous amount of power. Because of this, we can’t turn a blind eye to the fact that they have more control over what happens in our nation. There are consequences for their actions, and these consequences impact our daily lives as American citizens.

Will putting one political leader in office fix everything rotten in our country? No, but it can help pave a way to a better life for all.

This is why we care about what our president does and says a lot more than our founders intended. But this is not unreasonable when we understand the ramifications of their actions in positive and negative ways.

Our political leaders are not God. Our government is not God. As Christians, our faith must come first. Our political leaders are only human, and we should not worship them. Please do not place your party over God. 

 

Protests

When the George Floyd incident occurred, protests broke out across the nation. According to USA Today, “The vast majority – 80% – appeared to be peaceful…” Another peaceful protest includes the violin vigil in memory of a child killed by police brutality. However, police in riot gear were sent in. 

Many in opposition to the protests are saying rioting is not moral and individuals should stay peaceful. But when minorities were peacefully protesting against black lives being disproportionately killed, nobody listened for years.

 

Final Thoughts On “Our Nation’s Very Soul”

If these opinions were polarizing or off-putting, I do apologize. However, it is important to hear varying opinions in order to engage in meaningful discussions that pave the way for some form of beneficial change.

In order to understand the full story, you must keep an open mind and be willing to listen. Because when all you read are claims that our country will fall to a corrupt government similar to Venezuela or that your opposition is anti-Constitutional, you begin to believe it. If all you are told is that the left is making unfounded accusations about voter suppression, you begin to believe it. If all you see on the news is the demonization of protestors, you start to believe they are the problem. 

Granted, it is impossible to avoid bias completely. Outlets like OANN and MSNBC can relay very biased information to their audiences. You do not have to stop following these outlets, but notice the bias and try to find a counter source as well.

A well-thought-out view is formed when you pay attention to all information given rather than half the story. You need to hear the other side and then choose to agree or disagree. If you want individuals to give your ideas respect, you need to do the same. 

Now, I will discuss views the reader should consider as a whole.

 

The Constitution

The main document our democracy is founded on is the Constitution. Our freedom rests on the Constitution and that document of freedom can change with every new amendment. 

The founders created the Constitution to be amended, presumably realizing that time, beliefs and technology would change. It is crucial that these amendments are created to give further people freedom and a better quality of life.

I agree that the Constitution is being forgotten and rejected in some ways. This is not because people want to amend the laws, but rather, because the people at the top do not want to lose their said power.

First Amendment rights are being violated as press correspondents are being unlawfully detained.  First Amendment rights are being violated as peaceful protestors are being arrested for exercising their rights to assemble on public property. There is a discussion on whether or not the Fourth Amendment was violated in the tragic passing of Breonna Taylor. 

Regardless of which side you are on, the argument remains the same; our constitutional rights are being forsaken.

 

Finding Common Ground

We may share the same argument, but there is still a great divide in our nation. In order to bridge the great divide our partisan system has caused, we must find common ground.

An example is the English professor who stifled conversation about racism, homophobia, xenophobia and more. Her actions, although well intended, may have drastic consequences. Anything that puts down another person and implies superiority is extremely undesirable. However, discussions about these issues should not be dismissed so quickly.

Other than stepping over the line on the First Amendment, this would deny anyone with these beliefs the chance to discuss, grow and change. People must be allowed to engage, especially in environments like college campuses where there are people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

But this shows our nation is split down the middle. And with every negative word, hateful comment and close-minded debate, the gap widens. Much like the analogy of the frog in slow boiling water, by the time we notice this stark divide, it may be too late. 

 

We Need Empathy

If we wish to find common ground, we need to establish empathy. 

We must realize this country is not made up of badly written book characters. The people in this country are complex and made up of varying backgrounds. To call one side a hero and the other a villain is demeaning humans to a basic and unrealistic form. We are not the one-dimensional hero or the villain. We are people made up of different experiences. When talking about politics, we must remember that.

I will be the first to admit that it is difficult to agree and be friends with someone who has beliefs so different from your own. It is even harder when you hear ideas that seem to deny another human’s rights. It’s easy to paint that person as a villain and disregard everything said as ignorance or hatred.

But “Avatar: The Last Airbender” has proven another option. 

In the show, there is a character named Zuko who begins the series as a villain. He was born into a family of power and taught to hate and conquer others from a very young age. Because of that, he never realized his family was in the wrong. However, Zuko changed and went against everything he had once believed to dismantle his father’s dictatorship and to let freedom prevail.

Why is this important? Because Zuko was only able to fully understand when he was surrounded by people who were patient and caring. They gave him a space to change and to feel accepted even when it was difficult.  He changed when surrounded by people who never gave up on him. 

Change is difficult, and sometimes it seems easier to remain loyal to the beliefs you know and to reject anyone who tries to oppose them. But if all we do is push people away, then we cannot expect people to change. If we want people to change, or to even empathize with the opposing side, then we have to create a space that allows for that.

In short, we do not need more partisan fighting.

The two-party system has a habit of dividing our country. It has since the beginning of the nation: when the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans were at odds. Seeing this, George Washington warned against partisan fighting. 

Unfortunately, we cannot instantly abolish partisan fighting, no matter how much we want to. However, we can start building a bridge that reaches to the other side through our individual choices. 

Don’t get me wrong, there is a divide. A clear one. But blaming the left for mistakes that the right makes as well is not the way to fix it. Bridging the gap does not mean disregarding your own beliefs and inching towards the center of the political compass. It means quite the opposite. 

Your opinions matter and the other side understanding, respecting and empathizing with you and vice versa is how we can begin to heal this country. 

You have a chance to build bridges and change the world for the better. Are you going to take it? Are you going to help our country attempt to heal? No matter what you choose, do not sit idly by because in the wise words of Uncle Iroh,

“Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.”