An Open Letter To Everyone Shouting About Their Political Views On Facebook

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Dear “Everyone Shoving Your Political Chaos in my Face”,

My newsfeed is flooded with your insults. I would like to say opinions, but let’s be real. They’re insults and you know it. You think you’re really sticking it to us when we don’t “like” or “comment”, but in reality, we are just annoyed by you.

This election makes me sad. There are around 325 million Americans and the next “Leader of the Free World” will be one of these two characters. Let’s just all let that soak in for a second. Okay, let’s not. I watch these two blame and hate each other and it’s pretty obvious they lack the inspiration and hope their predecessors once gave their country. I have two little girls. My heart breaks for the mess we are leaving their generation to fix. I don’t even know how to fix where it is now, much less where it will be after this election.

Here’s what I know for certain: not a single one of my friends – or even Facebook “friends” – would intentionally choose “the worst person ever.”

I’m pretty passionate about my opinions, but I’ll be the first to admit if I like your idea better. My best friends sit on both sides of the aisle. You know what – every single one of those individuals is amazing. While in my younger years I could’ve earned the title of a straight ticket voter, I’ve mellowed out a little with some life experiences.

Most obnoxious Facebook posts make sure to call you out for being uneducated if you don’t choose their candidate. What’s amazing about that is I have my master’s degree, so only about 3% of the American population is “more educated” than me. Maybe the “uneducated” bash is referring to “uneducated” in the political scene…well, I’m not that either. I come from a long line of history buffs and veterans. I’ve had the privilege of seeing D.C. during the peak of the cherry blossom bloom. I soaked up my incredible poli-sci courses in undergrad. I’ve been paying attention to this race long before you slapped your Facebook world with your “uneducated” or “insane” accusations. Another fun fact: my sanity is pretty intact.

The beauty of Facebook is if you don’t like it, then don’t read it. I get that. I just hope you understand that insults are annoying in any delivery service type. I keep my mouth shut not because I’m apathetic, but because I don’t even want to go there with you and trust me, you don’t want to go there with me, either. I think I could shut you down pretty fast with the regurgitated quotes you stole on your cousin’s friend’s aunt’s wall. I’ve just learned to bite my tongue and keep scrolling. I’m not your friend because of your political prowess – I already have those friends – they’re already in politics and they do one hell of a good job. I’m your friend because at some point in my life, whether it was 3rd grade or grad school, I liked you. I liked that you took care of the people you love. I liked that we had the same sense of humor. I liked that we spent years being a part of each other’s lives, long before the Trump vs. Hillary took over our country. Maybe your shout outs are for the undecided voter in your newsfeed, but I don’t think I would be lured in by your insults if I were them.

“Those 32 Facebook rants you posted about the election have really helped me see another perspective,” said no one ever. Especially me.

The bottom line is this: one of them will win. Half of us will be furious and half of us will be rubbing it in the others’ faces. I’m not in the mood for it. I like one candidate slightly better than the other…let me rephrase that, I have more dislike for one than I do the other. I’m humiliated that these two are the best we can do. I can’t fix that and I won’t fix that in the next month. However, I do know that I’m not going to insult you because I have better things to do with my energy and my time. I do know that I’m not going to accuse you of being the most “apathetic, uneducated, insane” person I’ve ever known if you like him/her, because I don’t think that about you at all. I think you’re going to make your decision based on the issues that are most important to you.

I think you’re going to do the best you can with what you can. I think I’m going to do the same.

There are two phrases I’m often telling my three-year old and four-year old. “Check yo’self before you wreck yo’self,” and “Be Kind.” Let’s try those out this election year.

Love,
Everyone Who Just Keeps Scrolling