By now, most of you have voted or at least have made up your mind about who you will be voting for later today. In a society where your attention is the commodity - I will not take up much of your time.
I just am writing to say that no matter what happens today, we all will need to figure out how to move on together. Our fragile coexistence must be cultivated whether or not your “team” wins or loses this election. If we continue to support the division and hatred, we are only hurting ourselves. Like it or not - we need each other. But it is going to take all of us backing away from the screens, looking up from our phones and stopping the toxic tweeting so that we can see each other again.
It seems that, through the facade of social media, we are forgetting our similarities and demonizing our differences. It will always be easier to dismiss the humanity of anyone that you do not have a real conversation with - so don’t take the easy route. This week, I challenge you to talk to real people.
Keep your mask on, stay 6 feet apart and be brave enough to strike up a conversation with a stranger waiting in line to vote next to you. I dare you to ask the mailwoman how her day is going and to look the delivery man in the eye to thank him when he drops off your dinner. Even though we may feel like we are more alone than ever - real people are everywhere.
Who knows, maybe through a casual conversation about the weather, you will find out a little about how this time has been for them. Maybe while chatting to the woman who checks out your groceries, you will find that you both not only have a similar recipe for sweet potatoes but your children are the same age. Listening to them speak could give you a new perspective about an issue that you have long seen only one way.
It sounds small, I know, but I believe that it is these small connections that keep us going and are what binds a society together. And though it is not enough - it is a place to begin.
So look up today, notice the people around you and have the courage to say more than hello.
Please stay safe and healthy - and take the time to vote.