Politics DO NOT belong at the Thanksgiving table
Staff Writer Kasen Urhammer
As someone who deeply enjoys good conversation, I do not think politics is a good conversation topic for Thanksgiving.
While politics should be discussed outside of this setting, I think it defeats the whole purpose of the holiday to bring up contentious topics that you know will spark a debate.
Thanksgiving may be a holiday that presents innate controversy for some, but it is more valuable for us to use it as another opportunity to bring us together rather than using it to debate over topics we have numerous other opportunities to discuss.
While I have heard from others that the debate is something they find fun or even funny, it sounds as though the holiday has become more of a reason to argue, instead of a reason to overcome differences.
Far too often do we divide each other unintentionally, so using a holiday as a way to spur such divisions seems spiteful to say the least.
Our (admittedly idyllic) presentation of Thanksgiving is that of two contrasting cultures coming together to break bread, and most of us would probably benefit from the opportunity to find common ground amongst each other during this time of celebration.
While we may already have that common ground among those we celebrate it with, I would like to see more people using this holiday as an opportunity to get away from the endless discussion of politics.
Personally, it has always been a good opportunity to catch up with family members who have all gone different paths in life.
While we do not necessarily share all of the same opinions, it is valuable for us to all take that time to recognize our kinship, both as family and as human beings.
Even the ever-popular “Friendsgiving” has been a good opportunity to bring together a diverse range of people.
My friends and I have routinely used such celebrations as a way to introduce others to our group. It lets us discuss our lives more than our views, and gives us a great opportunity to express our admiration for each other in ways we don’t always take the time to do.
Of course, who am I to judge if you find it funny when your friend fight? Even I find it entertaining once in a while.
However, I would strongly encourage everyone to use this and other holidays as an opportunity to strengthen bonds, not test them.
Therefore, I argue that we should not be attempting to discuss politics at the Thanksgiving table.
Politics DO belong at the Thanksgiving table
Staff Writer Emma Jones
I am no stranger to heated family conversation around the dinner table. I grew up in a big family with a lot of different opinions, and we certainly did not always agree.
While talking politics at Thanksgiving can be tumultuous, it can also be a productive way to engage in conversation.
When people challenge the beliefs of others, it encourages people to think critically about their own beliefs. Not only does this give people the opportunity to strengthen their own arguments, but it also opens people up to new possibilities and ideas.
Family can be a good place to develop this kind of critical conversation for two reasons. First, family can often be a safe environment where people are willing to be more honest with each other.
Second, even if arguments do become personal or derogatory, having an open conversation allows for an honest reckoning between family members. It may be better to know where family members stand rather than to keep beliefs hidden from each other.
Dinner-time discussion can be used as a framework for creating civility in the realm of politics. The U.S. is more polarized than ever, with friends and families turning on each other over hot button issues.
Family can be used as an opportunity to return to more productive discussions in the nation at-large.
Turning away from political discussions will not solve rising polarization. Rather, it will only increase the disconnect between people with different beliefs.
I believe not talking to people with different beliefs has been detrimental to society as a whole. This is evident in the echo chambers and misinformation spread through social media.
Similarly, when people with different backgrounds do not communicate, they only become more grounded in their beliefs.
Thanksgiving political talk may not always be pretty, and it may send family members running. However, it is an important means of encouraging conversation and civility in a divided nation.
Therefore, I argue we should attempt to discuss politics at the Thanksgiving table.
