Stop Running Away From Politics at the Dinner Table

Politics is not the "p" word

Stop.

Right now, you're going to sit back down, and we're going to have a conversation about politics.

Before you click away, what are you afraid of here? Violence in the comment section? A riot in your phone?

The truth is, cutting out our vocal cords every time abortion comes up during Thanksgiving is not the way to go. Yes, during family dinners, politics can be a risky issue. I'm not urging you to talk about every problem in the news, but I am saying that the stigma around politics is dangerous. Furthermore, it's not even effective: Every four years, presidential elections come around, and politics are discussed in a fury regardless. What we need to do is talk about politics more openly.

By making politics a taboo subject, we rob ourselves of differences of opinion. Yes, it can cause conflict; yes, it can be messy, but if we can't be honest with each other, what is the point of talking at all?

Photo by Bruno Figueiredo on Unsplash

My friend told me that she didn't like talking about politics because politics embarrassed her -- not because of her opinion, but her family's. I myself have been shy of sharing the views of my conservative parents in the past. However, there is a way to limit conflict while still having a discussion. I can't guarantee one hundred percent peace, but we can try to preserve it through the following strategies:

1. Respecting other people's opinions

Seems simple. After all, it is only a four-word directive. But so many people disrespect others accidentally by attempting to force their own opinions down others' throats. If you're having a conversation with someone, and they don't agree with you and have stated so, there comes a point where repeating the same old thesis does more harm than perceived good.

Conversations aren't meant to change other people's mindsets. Instead, begin conversations with only the desire to share your own opinion. No, you haven't failed, yet again, to teach your Grandma that women can also be managers in the workplace. You've succeeded in sharing your opinion because that was your true objective in the first place.

If you follow this strategy, you may find yourself less disappointed when you emerge from conversations that produce no change in thought with the other party. You've realized that you never had an obligation to change someone else's mind.

2. You aren't a rock

Although I would like to think so, my opinion isn't a fact, so I won't state it like it is

one. One thing I always try to do when talking to someone is be open to change. You can't expect someone else to receive your views well if you aren't willing to be open to theirs. It's people talking to people, so open yourself up for a real conversation by giving yourself the space to disagree without predetermining your final stance.

3. There is no enemy

When two people have opposing views, the other person can feel like the opposition. However, opinions aren't people; you're disagreeing with their view, not them. Usually, in these sorts of conversations, each side is trying to do what they think is best. Your relative is wrong, not a villain.

At the end of the day, you aren't a manufacturer trying to produce the same thoughts in other people’s minds. You don't have to stay silent when your Uncle Tom praises Trump for his immigration policies, but you don't have to change his mind either. The word "politics" isn't a bomb; it is an elephant in the room who is tired of being ignored.