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The 2016 presidential election could easily go down as the most divisive election in U.S. history. Friendships have been severed. Marriages ruined. Families estranged. But is the controversial Donald Trump really worth terminating a relationship over? He very well could be. But before you make any final decisions, consider these key points.
Why is your loved one voting for Trump?
There’s a difference between voting for Trump and supporting Trump. Back in July of 2016, a New York Times/CBS News poll revealed that more than a third of Republicans were disappointed or upset that Donald Trump was named the official Republican nominee. An equal amount of respondents believe that he does not represent the values of the GOP.
The same poll revealed that a quarter of Democrats were disappointed in Hillary Clinton’s nomination, with an additional seven percent saying they were upset by it. So what does this prove?
It proves that for many Americans, this election isn’t ideal. However, the current two-party system leaves voters feeling trapped into picking the “lesser of the two evils.” It’s worth asking your loved one if she/he truly supports Trump, or if they’re merely voting for him because they feel like they don’t have much of a choice. There’s definitely a difference, with the former being far more concerning than the latter.
Does your loved one respect the reasons why you don’t like Trump?
Trump has said some hurtful things about women, Latinos, African Americans, Muslims, gays, disabled people, and even U.S. veterans. It’s completely understandable for people within those demographics (and allies outside of those demographics) to be offended by those remarks.
But when it comes to your personal relationship, does your spouse/friend/family member respect why those comments upset you? If not, this may be a sign of a deeper issue. The bottom line is that healthy relationships are built on mutual respect and if your loved one refuses to respect you, it may be time to end the relationship.
How does your loved one treat others?
Trump’s previous indiscretions are what lead many to believe that he is a bigot, a racist, and a misogynist. It’s hard not to draw the same conclusion when it comes to his supporters. You may be wondering if your loved one harbors the same beliefs.
But before making any assumptions, ask yourself this: How does your loved one treat people of color? How does your loved one treat women? How does your loved one speak about marginalized people?
The answers to these questions are what is going to reveal your loved one’s true character. And if the answers to these questions reveal that your loved in is in fact racist or a misogynist, you have to make a decision. You have to make a decision as to whether you’re going to stick by them and remain complacent with their behavior, or whether you’re going to take a zero-tolerance attitude towards oppression. The choice is yours.
