Years from now, students will crack open their history textbooks and quite possibly find a section dedicated to 2016. They will read, like all years before it, that 2016 was filled with ups and downs. But, the long 365-day stretch seemed to bring a few more downs than ups for the U.S.
Contention and stress are two words that come to mind when describing last year. That stress was driven by many factors, but one factor in particular shook things up a little more than others — the presidential election. It doesn’t matter where one fell on the political spectrum, presidential elections have always been nerve-wracking.
The election is now behind us and the president-elect is preparing to take office, but there still lurks an understandable amount of contention and skepticism across the country.
In an instant, it seemed that 2016 came to an abrupt halt and 2017 swooped in, bringing with it a whole new set of 12 unchartered months. Yet, the negative remnants of 2016 still remain, even in the new year — generally a time to start from scratch and build a new road ahead.
With a new presidency on the horizon and the possibility of change, positive or negative, it is important to ponder the future and make a resolution or two.
Many people make resolutions to begin the new year by living a healthier lifestyle, learning a new skill, becoming more financially stable or simply taking the dog for a walk more than once a week. But most of the time, it becomes easy to ditch a resolution for something more attainable amidst busy schedules and a lack of motivation.
However, there is one resolution I feel the country could stand to work on in the wake of a bitter and stressful 2016. This year, Americans should attempt to voice their opinions without rudely discrediting the opinions of others.
I know, it sounds like a long shot, but much of last year’s negative atmosphere formed out of a general sense of argumentative behavior that led to nothing other than regression.
Well-voiced opinions are often discussed without needing to destroy an opposing thought at all.
Opinions, ideas and thoughts are all great ways to engage in the politics and culture of a country, but it is the way in which one gives their opinion that makes all the difference.
I’m not saying every American should live out their 2017 by acting as the ideal model when discussing politics or sharing an unpopular opinion. That just isn’t practical. But, being a stronger opinionated communicator is.
Two different opinions don’t often meet in a friendly nature, but in the hopes of deterring another year like 2016, I think Americans could stand to prove their points in a more amicable way.
There is a responsibility that comes with voicing an opinion and sharing one’s thoughts, whether it is through a computer screen, in a group of friends, in a classroom discussion or on a televised press conference.
It may seem difficult to impose such a resolution on an entire nation, but when it seems that no one is on the same page, it is definitely worth trying.
All Americans should understand that in a time of political change, national discontent and anxiety about the year ahead, it is best to let all voices be heard, even if they are not always what we want to hear.
If every opinion were discredited upon first listen, change would never occur, problems would never be fixed and progress would never be made. In 2017, listen, then respond.
Hailey Stewart can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @Hailey_ann97