Yard Signs

As I turned the corner, my heart sank. On the lawn in front of a friend’s house was a political sign supporting a candidate other than the one I will be supporting. (How’s that for gentle expression?) I’ve known him for years and never imagined such political leanings, but the yard sign caused me to question our friendship, and that, perhaps, is the saddest casualty of the present political climate in our country.

I remember tying my cleats outside the gym in eighth grade while older boys talked about the upcoming election. Like most children, I thought the way my parents thought and rooted for the candidate they wanted. When someone spoke about the other candidate, I realized not everyone on the team shared our political views, and my internal reaction was anger, but was raised to never talk about politics.

Then, after coming to faith and going to seminary, my political views changed. I should have anticipated the reaction from my family, but the change made me the political black sheep of the family. One day, when I was holding my young niece in the pool, she said in all childlike innocence, “Mommy says not to talk to you about politics.” Like my reaction to the yard sign, our differing views became wedged between us.

As a person who has spent the majority of his working life in schools, I understand and appreciate the idea of “the academy.” Schools, as places of thought, are based upon the exchanging of ideas and debating differences. Without debate, education becomes a process of getting others to a common way of thinking. (Just look at the protests over graduation speakers, or the fact that comedians will no longer perform on college campuses, if you want to see evidence of the growing problem.) Too often, schools lean far to the left leaving those on the right feeling left out and resentful. In other circles, the ones on the left are ostracized and shunned, while those on the right gloat in self-righteousness. There are plenty of hand grenades for us all as we navigate through our either/or world.

Remembering the wisdom that no one is as good as we may think, nor as bad, I struggle to listen to the last of the political ads. I’d love to reinvigorate our country and be great again, just as I would like us to grow stronger together. Driving through my neighborhood, I try to accept all the views surrounding me. Rethinking friendships based on differing political views is akin to celebrating the first amendment as long as I agree with what’s being said. Maybe this election has been good for us, as hard as it is to see or feel that now. Maybe seeing a completely divided country can lead to a new appreciation for others, and a willingness to hear what they have to say.

My friend believes one person would be the best President, and I the other. Our votes will cancel each other’s out, leaving us to be the friends we were before the election began.