Having friends in opposing places during the election season

By Hayden Hackney
Staff Writer
IG: @haydenmhackney

With the growing argumentative feel in politics in recent years, some relationships begin to strain as they grow into different opinions and beliefs.

Through periods of growth and knowledge, everyone’s opinions begin to change, and some opinions and beliefs don’t necessarily mesh together as well as others. With this growth, friendships and relationships begin to break apart.

However, it doesn’t always end up like this. While politics often linger in the background of many people’s minds, some friendships are able to put it to the side.

Take Preston Reed, Aaron Buller, and Caden Hendrix for example. The three may have varying opinions when it comes to politics and beliefs, but they’ve maintained their friendship for years.

Friendships like this throughout Hutchinson Community College’s campus stay strong even through the differing opinions, but of course, this will cause political disagreements at times.

“I would rather keep a good friendship than let our relationship end because of our differences,” said Reed, a freshman studying media and film.

Navigating their differences isn’t always easy, and sometimes arguments can rise.

“It is important to know both sides and not that one person is wrong,” Buller said.

Buller is a freshman studying music.

Hendrix, a freshman studying architectural engineering, added to this point.

“I’m definitely willing to hear other people’s opinions and I’m not going to judge them for it,” Hendrix said.

For all three friends, respecting each other’s opinions and being open minded is crucial when it comes to discussing politics.

However, through the different discussions and arguments, the friends have been able to open their eyes to different views.

“People are raised differently, people live life differently,” Reed said, “being friends with people of different political views allows you to see into what they think and be open to relate to them.”

Buller agrees, adding, “There are some points that are given that open my eyes a little more.”

The discussions aren’t necessarily about politics for them, they’re about seeing and understanding the world from another person’s views and learning to appreciate other perspectives.

Friendships like these allow people to see into other people’s perspectives, and move past the disagreements that they have.

“When you are speaking your views, you should try to do it in the most respectful way possible,” Hendrix said, “that way you can avoid offending anybody.”

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