I put myself on a diet after President Trump’s re-election. As someone immersed in media, I knew the flood of junk content would be like the aftermath of Halloween—a table overflowing with candy: too many options, too much sugar, too many bright colors. Tempting, yes, but not truly nourishing.
Instead, I chose to focus on real conversations with real people in my life. I found myself wondering: “How do we put the ‘us’ back in the U.S.?”
A friend and colleague took this a step further, pointing out that the “us” has always been selective, leaving “some” in and shutting “others” out. Many groups—across ethnicities, backgrounds, and beliefs—have long felt excluded.
So, the question remains: “How can we expand our definition of ‘us’ to include more voices within the U.S.?”
This moment feels like a tipping point, a time when we are being forced to confront the divisions that have long simmered beneath the surface. The re-election of President Trump has sparked a wide range of emotions across the country—joy for some, disappointment for others, and concern or downright terror for many.
The truth is, America has always been a nation of differences, but somewhere along the way, these differences have turned into battlegrounds. It’s no longer enough to simply disagree; it’s as if we must defeat those who think differently. This “with me or against me” mentality has taken over our conversations, our news feeds, and our minds. The result? We see our neighbors as enemies rather than fellow citizens who share this country.
It seems that much of what divides us isn’t rooted in our beliefs but in our fear of one another.
But this fear is blinding us. It prevents us from seeing the humanity in those who hold different views.
I refuse to believe every single person who voted differently than I did is “bad,” “wrong,” or driven by hatred. Instead, I choose to believe that we have different ways of thinking, hoping, and seeking solutions to the same problems that most of us face.
But if we are ever going to move forward, we must stop indicting each other and start seeking to understand one another. This isn’t about winning debates or proving who is more “right.” It’s about genuinely asking, “How can I understand your perspective better? Can you help me?”
I’m convinced much of the animosity we feel toward each other is driven not by reality but by the flood of misinformation designed to keep us divided. Instead of asking the internet what to believe, let’s ask the people around us. Let’s have those hard conversations face-to-face, heart-to-heart.
It’s our responsibility to reclaim the value of relationships. How can we find the bravery to speak to each other with love and curiosity instead of fear and judgment? The truth is, we have more in common than the nightly news or social media would have us believe. Most of us are simply trying to make a better life for ourselves and our families.
Ultimately, it’s up to us, the people, to restore our country. This isn’t something the government can do for us—nor should we expect it to. The focus on what one political party says about the other has distracted us from our true responsibility to each other. It’s time to stop waiting for politicians to heal the divisions in our country and start doing the hard work ourselves.
We don’t have to be the same to be united. That doesn’t mean ignoring our differences—it means respecting them. It means acknowledging that “us” cannot be limited to people who look, think, or vote like we do.
Instead of retreating into the comfort of like-minded circles or drowning in the noise of digital debates, let’s focus on real conversations with real people. Let’s listen to understand, not to argue. Let’s make room at the table for more voices, especially those that have long been silenced or ignored.
In the end, America is more than red states and blue states. It’s a tapestry of diverse voices, experiences, and dreams. Let’s not tear it apart over our differences. Instead, let’s embrace the challenge of weaving those differences into something stronger—something that truly reflects the spirit of the United States of America.
Does this sound idealistic? Yes. But America was built on ideals. We should not excuse those who are truly sowing hate and division. We should not amplify their voices. Not everyone will be receptive to conversations, but that is not a reason to not even try.
The future of our country rests not in the hands of politicians but in the hearts of its people. Let’s stop waiting for leaders to fix what’s broken and start mending the rifts ourselves.
Just like putting away the Halloween candy, it’s time to clear away the junk content. Instead, let’s feed ourselves with real conversations and genuine connections, because that’s the only way we’ll restore our health as a nation.
Image credit: PBS News