Spring Break
Column: Put relationships above politics
Dylan Polk / Opinions Editor
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Opinions
Imagine going to a place where practically everyone you know is against nearly all your political, social and religious ideals. Imagine arguing with those closest to you over issues that should plague politicians, not families.
For me, that place is home.
I love Springfield. I'm proud to say I'm from Illinois' capital and am always excited to share its culture with my friends, such as horseshoe sandwiches or spouting off random facts about Abraham Lincoln.
But whenever I'm in Springfield, I feel out of place.
Springfield is a predominantly conservative area.
If a letter to the editor appears in the city's newspaper, The State Journal-Register, that calls out right-wing conservatism or questions religious authority, the majority of readers are suddenly up in arms, firing back angry letters in response.
Whenever Barack Obama comes to Springfield, his liberal agenda is always called out in some sarcastic way by concerned conservative voices.
Even at home, political and religious debates get heated, and it's usually three-against-one with me on the losing end, something that happened during spring break.
The first night I was home, my mother and I got into an argument over issues like gay marriage and whether George W. Bush was an effective president. The argument ended when we both became so enraged that we just dropped it.
That's it, I thought. Spring break is ruined, and they won't let me live this down for the rest of the week.
The next morning, I was to drive to Champaign to meet a friend and ride to Chicago with him. I woke up with words from the night before echoing in my head.
I was sure my mother hadn't dropped it, and I was almost certain the discussion was going to awaken just as soon as I did. Instead, she sicced our dog on me, a common wake-up call she used when I still lived at home.
She urged me out the door, offering to help me pack for my weekend trip and smiling as she poured me an extra strong cup of coffee for the road.
Not a word was spoken about the previous night as I got in my truck and headed east. The subject wasn't even brought up again for the rest of the week.
If my parents had really taken my "hippie liberal politics" so seriously, I wouldn't have been welcome in my house; rather, my parents looked past beliefs and accepted me as their son, whom they still love.
It occurred to me our political ideologies shouldn't get in the way of the relationships we have with friends and family members.
You don't have to embrace each other's platforms, but outright condemnation of each other's ideologies is walking a dangerously thin line between tolerance and loathing.
Don't hold it against someone if they support a politician with ideals that are opposite of yours. Instead, base your friendships on how your peers treat those around you.
Dylan Polk is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
For me, that place is home.
I love Springfield. I'm proud to say I'm from Illinois' capital and am always excited to share its culture with my friends, such as horseshoe sandwiches or spouting off random facts about Abraham Lincoln.
But whenever I'm in Springfield, I feel out of place.
Springfield is a predominantly conservative area.
If a letter to the editor appears in the city's newspaper, The State Journal-Register, that calls out right-wing conservatism or questions religious authority, the majority of readers are suddenly up in arms, firing back angry letters in response.
Whenever Barack Obama comes to Springfield, his liberal agenda is always called out in some sarcastic way by concerned conservative voices.
Even at home, political and religious debates get heated, and it's usually three-against-one with me on the losing end, something that happened during spring break.
The first night I was home, my mother and I got into an argument over issues like gay marriage and whether George W. Bush was an effective president. The argument ended when we both became so enraged that we just dropped it.
That's it, I thought. Spring break is ruined, and they won't let me live this down for the rest of the week.
The next morning, I was to drive to Champaign to meet a friend and ride to Chicago with him. I woke up with words from the night before echoing in my head.
I was sure my mother hadn't dropped it, and I was almost certain the discussion was going to awaken just as soon as I did. Instead, she sicced our dog on me, a common wake-up call she used when I still lived at home.
She urged me out the door, offering to help me pack for my weekend trip and smiling as she poured me an extra strong cup of coffee for the road.
Not a word was spoken about the previous night as I got in my truck and headed east. The subject wasn't even brought up again for the rest of the week.
If my parents had really taken my "hippie liberal politics" so seriously, I wouldn't have been welcome in my house; rather, my parents looked past beliefs and accepted me as their son, whom they still love.
It occurred to me our political ideologies shouldn't get in the way of the relationships we have with friends and family members.
You don't have to embrace each other's platforms, but outright condemnation of each other's ideologies is walking a dangerously thin line between tolerance and loathing.
Don't hold it against someone if they support a politician with ideals that are opposite of yours. Instead, base your friendships on how your peers treat those around you.
Dylan Polk is a senior journalism major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Laurie
posted 4/06/09 @ 1:00 PM CST
I rarely respond to online articles, but your first two paragraphs struck a chord. If you are a senior at Eastern, I am probably old enough to be your mother, but I relate to what you're saying. (Continued…)
Grad Student
posted 4/06/09 @ 9:05 PM CST
I know how you feel. I feel very out of place being a conservative at EIU. I guess we should all remember what it feels like and try to treat each other with tolerence. (Continued…)
Mom
posted 4/14/09 @ 10:18 AM CST
Dylan, you can imagine my surprise when I found this article on here. I guess in the future, I'll have to remember that my son IS a journalism major and that what I consider to be private conversations, are no longer protected. (Continued…)
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