Common Sense Essay
In today’s society there is a misconception of republicans. Modern day conservatives are judged and often frowned upon based on their political beliefs. The United States is a country where we are truly unified through our differences. This may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s true. Men and women from different cultures and backgrounds formed this country into what it is today. The modern day conservative is portrayed in many situations as racist, sexist, and homophobic. This is a false generalization that is only broadened by the actions of a few. Social media plays a big role in the reputation of the modern day republican.
The false reputation given to conservatives has impacted my life directly. I was in the oval with a few friends. It was a mix of liberals and conservatives after the election. I was introduced to a kid who was a political science major. After some small talk he has asked me about my political views. After I told him I identified as a republican he proceeded to ask me if I was a racist. I replied “no of course not.” Then he asked if I hated women. This really hit me hard because I have five sisters, a strong relationship with my mother, and my best friend is a girl. To judge a person based on their political beliefs is completely immature. For someone to make those damaging accusations about another person without even knowing the person is inappropriate.
This misconception is partly due to social media. The problem has nothing to do with information being false, rather it being one sided. Many people get their news from applications and websites. Social media is a main source of information in today’s day. The key to understanding people’s political views is information. There are extremes to both sides. You will find outcasts in both the republican and democrat parties. People who have extreme views should not be used to generalize an entire political party and their beliefs. No matter what party you identify with, it is important to understand why certain believe in what they believe in. You don’t have to agree with the other side, but understanding, that is what is most important.
People should be judged on how they treat others, their accomplishments, their true character. Nobody should be judged on their political beliefs. We live in a world that is much more accepting than it used to be. We have made enormous strides in social justice. That being said, we are far from perfect and people need to become more accepting of others’ political views. This is how we accomplish great things, this is how we create a more unified America.