WARNING: This is slightly political.

Politics has never been much of my forte and I’m not sure if it ever will be. Of course I do keep up with what is important as a citizen who is finally eligible to vote. My first Presidential election. How exciting, right? It is actually not that exciting. This Presidential election has come with violence, outrage, and the separation of the people. Granted we do have the two main political parties that will always divide us, but why do we have to be so separate?

I hate looking through my news app on my phone (yes I do this because I never have time to sit and watch the news) because every news update or “breaking news story” shows how violent and hateful our American Citizens have become. If you say the name “Trump” be prepared because you will get some backlash. If you say the name “Hilary” be prepared because you will also get some backlash. Unfortunately, this is just how our political world freaking turns.

Before you criticize someone’s opinion or choice for our next President, make sure you have done your own research and you know what you might be criticizing them about. I can not stress how important research is during an election. It’s important to read different outlets on the same subject. Obviously Fox News and CNN are going to be biased sources so we have to be careful when forming our opinions based on an already biased article.

Secondly, why do you even feel the need to tear someone apart because of what they believe in. It is one hundred percent okay to stand your ground for what you believe in but not okay to hate someone because they believe in something different. Maybe someone else’s views on politics makes you angry, that doesn’t mean you should ridicule them for something they believe. Read up on multiple views, then obtain your own final opinion.Listen to other people’s opinions on a candidate or a candidates platform. It could turn out that you have the same views as someone you thought you’d never agree with. I know this has happened to me in other situations.

Trump can act like a complete a-hole at times but that doesn’t mean he has a terrible platform. The same goes for Hilary. People believe in each candidate and want to see the change that they have implemented in their countless speeches. Listen to them, read up on their platforms, discuss with others, all to help form the opinion or stance that YOU believe in.

The positivity that I hope to instill on you on this lovely Monday afternoon is to keep an open mind with your peers. Be kind even if there is no agreement on politics at all. Close-minded people don’t often get very far because they are so closed off to opinions that could change them for the better. Maybe if we were to keep open minds we would be less separate from each other or more willing to have a more civil argument or discussion on our views and opinions.

Just a side note… GET OUT THERE AND VOTE. If you don’t get out there and vote on election day, you are forfeiting your given right to be angry if you don’t like who our next President is.

Keep it positive ladies and gents (or at least try to).

Charlotte Evans

Charlotte currently attends the University of North Carolina at Wilmington focusing on Communication Studies. In her free time she manages her blog titledSunshine Daily. She uses it as a platform to voice her own opinions and as an outlet. Be sure to follow her on her blog:https://onthecontrare.wordpress.com and on The Millennial!