10-27-2024 7:18pm

EDITORIAL: This Election Too Shall Pass

Nate Weeks Editor

We are all in this together, whether we want to be or not (Photographer Nate Weeks)

As Election Day approaches, the chaotic media atmosphere we have all come to live with has only intensified. Many on both the left and right are fearful about the impact of this decision on their own lives and the lives of others. Even the future of the country seems to be at stake to many.

This is made more confusing because we are living in a time where rumors and conspiracy theories are shared loud and often, even by those in positions of great influence.

Artificial Intelligence technology has now made it even easier than ever to manufacture any kind of content to serve as evidence. You may have seen some of these after Hurricane Helene when purported photographs of children crying with their pets were spread near and far on social media. Those faked photographs revealed that our sympathies can be pulled toward shadows instead of realities.

It’s increasingly hard to discern truth from fiction and this fuels the sense of chaos that seems to define much of the news and our social media feeds.

It is well known that other countries are taking advantage of the differing points of view of those living in the United States. They are purposely trying to push us further apart with propaganda in the form of news articles, memes, podcasts, and videos. They seek to make our differences in beliefs and viewpoints appear to be unsurmountable.

Many friends who once found common ground in community and shared history are now at odds over their political affiliations and the future scenarios they most fear.

In families, political divisions can cut deep: siblings and parents, people who’ve spent most of a lifetime together, can find themselves on opposing sides of a seemingly unbridgeable chasm.

But while our concerns might be true about the future of this country if the presidential candidate we don't prefer wins, and the stakes may seem higher than ever, it's important to remember that life doesn’t stop with any election.

The world keeps spinning, no matter who wins or loses, and so must we keep on with the work we are called to do.

Regardless of the outcome, we all still have responsibilities and relationships that make us who we are. There are many things to be done and the commitments we’ve made to our loved ones and our fellow citizens remain just as important as before.

Our relationships and responsibilities give life meaning and transcend political cycles and election results.

We don’t have to lose friendships over temporary political divides and we don’t have to forsake family bonds. Instead, we can choose to continue doing the hard work of listening, empathizing, and coming together to face the challenges that lie ahead.

Yes, the future may seem scary and uncertain, and there’s no doubt the next few years will bring some big challenges. But if we can focus on what unites us instead of only on what divides us, we might just discover solutions that can truly make our world a better place to live for ourselves and future generations.