Disagreement can be normalized at IWU, but we can go about it respectfully. If there is one thing the 2024 Election taught me, it’s a need for political discourse that still includes respect and honesty. Yes, ignoring our differences–especially our political preferences–can be enticing. But, we can still find humanity in each other even if we don’t agree on every subject.
If we can look each other in the eyes and acknowledge that beyond our beliefs, there is just another human attempting to understand the ever-changing world around us, we can learn more about others and ourselves.
Empathy
This is a word that often gets mixed up with “sympathy.” We all have different experiences in life. Instead of focusing on what is similar or different about each other’s ideas, we should attempt to have genuine curiosity and simply listen. Instead of focusing on the differences that halt political discourse in its tracks, take time to listen to someone who can ultimately inspire you. If you set the tone of a conversation to be a space where everyone’s voice can be shared and listened to, not just heard, you can not only increase your own understanding but encourage others to listen to you as well.
Areas of Weakness
Yes, your beliefs are valid, but if someone disagrees with you, was it how you expressed your opinion or why you believe in it?
Political conversation can often be a battle for time. If we don’t fully flesh out our idea before the other person loses interest or begins their argument, information can often get lost or become forgotten. There is always space for more to be said
The truth is it’s okay to not have a perfect argument or response. It’s the reason we have these deep conversations. By digging into the points the other makes about our argument, we can better understand what we believe in and how we disagree with different ideologies. What if instead of hearing the words “but” and tensing up, we do the opposite? Lean into that weakness and consider what the other thinks. They may be right, they may be wrong, but we see the most character growth and ideas when we focus on our own weaknesses.
Timing is Everything
There has been a moment in everyone’s life when someone feels comfortable enough to openly express their feelings about current events. Sometimes we disagree, but I oftentimes find myself surprised that they feel the way they do, especially when they never expressed their feelings before. In these cases, I think it is best to evaluate the environment in a couple of ways.
First your physical state: where are you? Depending on a public environment or private conversation you might consider to what extent the type of conversation you want to have. With so much happening around us, one misquote or word can harm your reputation. Maybe what you are saying isn’t wrong, but it can be misconstrued if you are not aware of when it is appropriate to have a conversation.
The second environment is your emotional and mental state. Everyone reacts differently to politics and everyone can be affected by politics, whether or not you know it. If someone says they feel uncomfortable about a topic, acknowledge there are genuine reasons why someone wants to refrain from diving deeper.
Ask Questions
Have you ever not known what to think in a situation? Just reach out and ask for help in any way possible.
There are resources available beyond close friends and peers within the IWU community. Reach out to professors who can create an academically structured conversation. Write your thoughts out and go to the Writing Center where a tutor can help you see how your ideas translate onto paper and back to other students. Even administrators can answer questions thoughtfully and honestly about problems you recognize on campus. Notice how hard questions never lead to a clear answer, but allow dialogue to happen. When you step out of your comfort zone you encourage others to do the same, and it creates an environment that is about learning, not just being right.
I Don’t Know.
Not every conversation will have an answer. Being unsure of your position on a topic doesn’t mean that you don’t know what you’re talking about, you just don’t have a stance yet, and that’s okay. It is alright to not yet know what you stand for. Eventually, you might stumble upon a solid idea, but ideas are always evolving. In those cases, the best solution is to listen to what others have to say. You don’t have to agree or disagree, just absorb it all. There’s no promise you won’t end up more confused than when you started. What matters is that you are not afraid to learn and engage with unfamiliar thoughts.
We believe what we want to believe. Political discourse is all about exploring why these conversations impact us and how they can teach us more than we expected. Sure, you may get your point across, but why spend all that time trying to be right for a moment when you have a lifetime of people waiting to know you?