United. We are the United States of America.
Do we even feel united right now? United we stand. But, are we standing? Or are we on the edge of our seats?
Is it over? Did they cheat? Do we have our next president? Can we move forward? Is every day Election Day? Has the media pronounced a winner, but it means nothing? Are we already making changes? Should changes be made? How many lawsuits are there?
And why do my kids know so much about politics?
I am not saying politics are not important. But, they are 5 and 7. They do not need to know that our country is anything but united. I heard from a teacher that some kids were literally about to fight over their opinion of who should be president. Y’all, they are in the second grade!
When I was in second grade, the most exciting thing was letting glue dry on my hand and peeling it off. I had no idea who was president and I sure wasn’t going to fight about it. And hate to say it, but these kids willing to fight over their pick for president … well, they learned that bickering from somewhere.
And dang it, whether it is intentional or not, that is what our babies are learning. Pick a side and completely and utterly trash the other side. Have no couth and blatantly banter about your beliefs — the only thing that matters is what you believe and those on the other side are morons.
Oh, don’t worry that they are people too. Your thoughts and the way you feel are the only things that matter. Certainly, widening the divide already prevalent in this country is important. We should make sure the next generation has a good handle on it as well. Lose friends, create enemies, whatever you have to do to make sure that your opinion is heard.
I am not saying we should hide our government from our children. They are the future. Teach them about history, politics and even the importance of using their voice to vote. I am all for mock elections so they understand the process.
But how about we teach them a little kindness as well? How about we show them people can have differences of opinions on who should lead the country and still be decent human beings? How about we let them in on how many people have fought, lost their lives, or a limb, or their mental health for the freedoms and rights in this country.
All for this country to be united.
Just as a reminder, Webster’s dictionary defines united as, “made one: combined.” But, we are definitely not one. We are clearly not one.
And call me naive, dumb or uninformed, but I don’t believe that bashing someone all because our views of a couple of candidates (who will never even know our names) differ. I am sorry but some of you all are putting so much time, effort and hate into fighting for (or against) a person who doesn’t even know you exist.
You know, my mom always told me that if I didn’t have anything nice to say, I should say nothing at all. That doesn’t mean don’t educate yourself. Seek out all the knowledge — just make sure it is truthful. Form your opinions and even speak quietly about them with those you love and trust if you must.
But then, shut up. Sorry, someone had to say it. Quit widening the gap that has separated us so much as a country. And stop teaching our kids to think that it is OK treat people — our people, our own people in the United States of America — so terribly.
If we truly want to improve the future of our children, we need to start at home. Teach them to love one another, embrace differences with understanding and positive enthusiasm, show them that kind interactions will get them further than bad mouthing those whom we do not agree with.
We have to do better, America. Not at throwing our opinion around about voting or not voting for the right candidate but at reuniting our country. Our babies deserve it. Our past, present and future soldiers deserve it. We deserve it.
We are not the divided states of America. We are the United States of America. And, for our future and the future of our babies, we truly need to start acting like it.
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