“Few people are able to express with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment.” These words from Albert Einstein ring especially true in the midst of the current political climate.

While popular rhetoric has recently been that we are a nation divided, it is more than just Republican or Democrat and Clinton or Trump. It is too generalistic to say that there are only two sides to every issue. It almost seems as if the only actual division of the two is between those who think everything is divided into two and those who don’t. Our nation is built upon diversities; differences in backgrounds, cultures, religions, family upbringings, races, morals, incomes, etc. So how can we expect every person in our country or even half of the people in our country to think and believe the same way that we do when there is so much about each other that is not the same?

It’s easy to judge someone who voted differently from you, group them into your preconceived notions of what kind of person they are and then disregard their ideas completely. But what have you gained? If you refuse to try to understand the ideas behind those who differ from you then you are refusing to understand a majority of the country around you. Our differences don’t have to be our barriers.

So where do we go from here? Our country may be divisible, but we have the choice of whether or not we are divided. How do we have a constructive conversation with those who we see as completely different from ourselves? First and foremost, we need an open mind. I don’t just mean where you listen to some of the things the other person is saying but you already have your own thought up argument against all of it. In order to truly keep an open mind, you need to understand that you very well may not understand. But if you allow that to stop you from listening then you will continue to be trapped in a bubble of like ideologies that do not represent the actual world around you, and that’s self inflicted ignorance.

Unfortunately, open minded argumentation was not seen in most of the presidential debates prior to election night. They talked about issues, yes, they argued back and forth on why they believe what they believe, yes, but there was no true listening happening. They knew their stance and had their previously determined argument at the ready. This lack of sincere conversation is what fueled the misunderstanding and intolerance for both sides.

I understand that both Clinton and Trump were political opponents and not necessarily supposed to agree, but we as a country, we as human beings are not opponents. From here on out we are on the same team. Going into a conversation thinking automatically that you are right and the other person is wrong takes away both person’s abilities to come to an actual understanding of each other’s views.

Disagreement is natural but too often we fail to understand the problems of one person or group of people just because they are not our own personal problems. However, if we acknowledge from the start that we come from different places with different backgrounds and beliefs then we can start to listen in a way that respects that instead of disregarding it as simply being incorrect.

Our country is built upon differences. However, we get to decide whether those differences create barriers or if they allow an avenue for empathy and understanding.

Your vote in this election does not have to pin you against half of the country. You have the choice to be tolerant and listen to those who may be different from you. It’s in those genuine conversations that diversity ceases to divide.

Sam Miner can be reached at mine0034@stthomas.edu