The holidays can be stressful, but in a nation as divided as ours, they can produce even more tension. Gather together those whose worldviews are the polar opposite of one another, and you may see some sparks fly. But family celebrations don’t actually have to be politically contentious. Unfortunately, some would prefer to use these fleeting moments to argue their cause, no matter how much discord it brings.
In recent years, there has been an increase in how-to articles detailing the best way to discuss controversial subjects while seated around the holiday table. Many suggest clever ways to gain an advantage in an argument. Others encourage fruitful discussion where parties simply agree to disagree. A quick search reveals a few from last year like “Gobble, don’t squabble: How to talk politics with your family on Thanksgiving” and “5 disparate ways to talk about politics with your family at Thanksgiving.” And it seems a smaller number of pieces caution against talking politics entirely.
Last week, at that bastion of hysteria known as Teen Vogue, writer Jenn M. Jackson challenged readers to forcefully push back against loved ones in a piece entitled “It’s Your Responsibility to Challenge Bigoted Relatives Over the Holidays.” (Unsurprisingly, Jackson talks of white people as the only bigots in the scenario.)
Though she never mentions President Trump by name, one can only assume her motivation for an article that seeks to aid others in their quest to “dismantle queerphobia, transphobia, racism, and misogyny” is a strong dislike of him and his supporters. After all, those who exist on the Left surely couldn’t hold their own prejudiced views of Middle America, Christians, or gun owners, just to name a few.
On Twitter, artist and writer Tony Posnanski shared his daring plan for dealing with relatives who support the president.
I will be changing my wifi password to “IMPEACH45” this Thursday so that my MAGA family members have to put that in their devices to have some of my delicious WiFi.
— Rage Donkey™️ (@tonyposnanski) November 23, 2019
What a hero.
Some may eat up these campaigns against family members, but really, it’s juvenile and exhausting.
I can’t think of a worse way to mark another year of God’s abundant blessing than by grandstanding in grandma’s kitchen and detailing your distrust of that other political party. And yes, this behavior is utterly absurd no matter if it’s MAGA-fueled or led by the Resistance.
As all of us should know by now, life is so much more than politics. The things that truly matter have everything to do with loved ones, friends and family, and the memories we make with them. Life, with all its ups and downs, is brief. Each one of us experiences joys, sorrows, and the mundanity of our daily routine.
If it’s more important that you win a political battle against your familial opponent during the holidays than enjoying precious time with them, I’d say your priorities are majorly skewed. Though it may not seem like it, those in power in Congress, and especially in the White House, are only on stage for a brief season. There will always be arguments to be found among them and their supporters. What should be longer-lasting are the bonds of family and friendship. These connections are what carry us through the years.
No, we aren’t required to agree with our relatives. But as we gather together to celebrate, a better focus is anything but the news of the moment. On the days set aside for what is special, perhaps we could avoid politics entirely.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner‘s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
