The November presidential election is front, center, and largely unavoidable in the media. Debate has been alive and somewhat well between Democrats and Republicans in the Presidential and Vice Presidential Debates and on every news outlet.
Debate may be the wrong term in some of these cases. While the Vice Presidential Debate featured some quality of discussion about important issues, the Presidential Debate was less productive. Partisanship inhibits the ability of political leaders to find common ground and have meaningful conversations across the aisle.
It is easy to criticize our leaders’ extremism and their inability to compromise. However, we must also reflect on what extent we, as the generation of future leaders, engage with ideas contrary to our own.
Our school aims to be neutral in its political stance. Teachers are not supposed to share their political beliefs in class to avoid alienating those with opposing views. At first glance, this policy makes sense. No one should feel forced to share their personal beliefs. But, in practice, neutrality has created an environment where political discussion is avoided.
Sharing ideas can feel awkward or embarrassing if you don’t feel fully informed. It is our responsibility to ensure everyone in our community feels included, regardless of their political views. Avoiding discussion may seem like a solution, but this begs the question: Does one person sharing their opinions necessarily have to threaten the beliefs of another?
Within our community, a wide range of political views exist and many are contradictory.
But contradiction is not a reason to shy away from debate. We need to be able to listen to opposing opinions to broaden our understanding of each other and ourselves. But if everyone remains in their own belief bubble, we as a school—and as a nation—will never progress.
Our school’s focus this year, is having meaningful (and often difficult) conversations. While it is great to have that goal, we need to implement it in practice (and not just in advisory discussions about whether the MCAS should be a graduation requirement). We must approach conversations about politics with respect and a desire to learn—or at least look at an issue from adifferentperspective.Talkingaboutpoliticscan be uncomfortable, but the only way to make these conversations less difficult is to practice them.
