Evil. Stupid. Wrong.
The Death of Debate in America
There's been a growing concern regarding the state of the U.S. Where it's headed and how it's affecting its citizens. The fault doesn't lie with the administration. The truth is, the blame lies with us. It has always been our responsibility as citizens to fight for our rights, hold power accountable, uphold the Constitution, and treat one another with dignity and respect.
As I witnessed our country evolve in ways I never imagined, I found myself calling out injustices online, debating, and raising the alarm.
But none of it mattered.
I'm sure those who've tried feel the same.
Discourse is dying. We are no longer arguing politics. We are divided.
Social media has splintered us into tribes ready to fight.
Evil. Stupid. Wrong.
That's how Americans from both parties describe each other now. We are hard-wired to label ourselves, and in our hyper-connected world, that wiring is short-circuiting.
Political views, once a loose set of values, are now hardened into dogma. They've become our identities. And when your identity is challenged, it's like someone is trying to amputate a limb. Critical thinking takes a back seat and is replaced with protecting who we are.
If you're only listening to "your side", you're in an echo chamber. Smart arguments exist on both the left and right, but we scroll past anything that doesn't confirm what we already believe. Or worse, we lash out with anger, disgust, and name-calling.
Remember, what we do matters more than what we call ourselves. Being “conservative” or “liberal” means nothing if we remain close-minded or treat people poorly.
In the end, Trump, Newsom, or any leader will be reduced to a historical footnote. What remains are the consequences of our choices, the daily ways we treat each other, how we hold power accountable, and what we choose to question.
It's time we reach out instead of doubling down on our labels. We don't need more partisans. A nation isn't held together by leaders on pedestals. It's held together by the everyday ways we choose to see each other as people first.
After all, "united" in The United States of America is supposed to mean something.
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Thanks for being here. Stay Curious. Question Everything.
–Luis