How to Have Difficult Conversations About Politics

After the results of a historic election and with Thanksgiving coming up it is important to be aware of how you approach conversations surrounding politics. When two polarized parties talk politics it tends to be very emotionally driven and overall unproductive, which makes both parties want to avoid the conversation all together. However, politics should not be a topic that is glossed over, especially considering how relevant it is today. So, how should you approach a conversation about politics so that it is worthwhile? How can you have a difficult conversation while maintaining positive relationships with peers? I will offer some strategies you can use on an individual level as well as on a group level when discussing politics.

The first step is recognizing how you react to situations of conflict. You may react more emotionally or more logically, but either way a productive conversation needs a healthy balance of both. If you recognize that you are usually more emotional, it would probably be helpful to take a step back when conversations are becoming “heated” to regroup and maintain a positive attitude. If you find you are more logic driven, it is important to practice empathy in situations. Although this is easier said than done, taking subtle steps to begin understanding your peer’s perspective could lead to positive change in the long run. Personally, my emotions often overwhelm my logical thinking when it comes to conversations about politics, I admit that. In a recent discussion with a classmate I could feel myself becoming upset and instead of letting the situation get out of hand I told my peer, “I apologize, but I am going to take a moment before I continue this conversation.” If whoever you are talking to reacts poorly to your decision to step back, I would suggest that that discussion was not going to be productive anyways, which leads me to the next step.

The second step is recognizing if the conversation is going to be productive or not. Ask yourself, what do I want out of this conversation? What do they want out of this conversation? If either of the answers is to change the other’s mind, then the conversation is not going to be productive. Hardly ever do people’s opinions change all at once, which is why it is important to go in with curiosity instead of looking to diminish their point. A productive conversation requires active listening on both ends. By showing that you are actively listening, such as paraphrasing what they said or asking broad questions, you can let them know that you are looking for a productive conversation instead of a heated argument. It is important to remember that a productive conversation doesn’t mean proving who is right or wrong, instead it is learning about each other and the way they think. Of course, none of this applies when a member of the conversation isn’t looking for it to be productive. When someone isn’t actively listening or is becoming too emotionally driven it is best to just skip the conversation and avoid the disappointment. Ending the conversation is probably the best idea to avoid unnecessary conflict and emotional distress.

So, when it comes to arguing with your family over Thanksgiving turkey, remember this article. Ask yourself, how do I react in situations of conflict? How can I work on balancing logic and emotion in order to have a productive conversation? It doesn’t have to be a drastic change in political views all at once, but simply small steps toward replacing anger with curiosity. Of course a conversation is a two-way street and if you are the only one putting in the effort, there will be no productive conclusion. A difficult conversation about politics should never result in emotional distress and it is perfectly alright to avoid a conversation altogether if it would not be productive.

image source:

https://igotpro.com/blog/2020/02/25/6-tips-to-rule-the-art-of-conversation-by-larry-alton/