Along with the pumpkin pie, Thanksgiving has a way of bringing back old feuds. However, with political differences more profound than gravy on your mashed potatoes this year, it’s easy to be tempted to miss family get-togethers due to divergent opinions, particularly if Uncle Larry is still wearing that red MAGA hat.
It doesn’t have to be this way, and that’s the problem. It’s possible that the most radical thing you can do this Thanksgiving is to embrace these awkward moments of connection.
You re not going to change their mind but that s okay.
To put it simply, you will not use the cranberry sauce as a pretext to disprove your cousin’s theory that the 2020 election was rigged or to persuade your aunt that climate change is real. Similarly, they are unlikely to convince you that Big Government is attacking gas stoves.
However, it is freeing to spend time together without trying to win the debate. It may serve as a reminder that interpersonal connections are not limited to political discourse. Your uncle used to live-tweet Stop the Steal, but who knew he could still cook a delicious deep-fried turkey?
They re still your family, and you ll miss them someday.
How many more Thanksgivings do you get to spend with your parents, siblings, or even that wild-card relative who believes Tucker Carlson is the voice of reason? It may feel wonderful to avoid the conflict this year.
In actuality, familial ties are complex. Humans are fallible. Even while it could be tempting to skip a meal full of awkward talks, attending can help you remember the important moments, such when your sister makes fun of you for something from your early years or your grandmother makes you laugh till you weep.
Thanksgiving is about gratitude, not grudges.
Thanksgiving is really about taking a moment to be grateful for what you have. That means choosing to focus on what unites you rather than what separates you, but it does not imply dismissing damaging beliefs or acting as though problems don’t exist.
Take it as a challenge: Is it possible to enjoy a meal while sitting across from someone who holds utterly different opinions? Even if their political commentary causes your blood pressure to rise, can you still choose peace? Although it helps put differences in perspective, gratitude does not eliminate them.
Humor can heal so bring your best jokes.
Having a good chuckle is sometimes the best way to relieve tension. It’s not necessary for you to fall for your Trump-loathing uncle’s tirade about Hunter Biden. Instead, make fun of him by saying, “I had no idea that we were having the Thanksgiving debate team tryouts tonight!”
Although humor isn’t a panacea, it can save talks that are about to go awry. Additionally, it maintains the atmosphere light enough for everyone to concentrate on the pie, which is the major attraction.
Walking away doesn t solve anything.
Although it may seem like a power move, skipping Thanksgiving usually makes both sides feel more firmly established in their positions. The idea that the other side doesn’t listen, care, or appreciate different points of view is fueled by this lack of connection.
Even if it’s difficult, showing up conveys a different message. It reads, “I value you even though I disagree with you.” It’s an act of resistance against the powers that seek to further divide us.
This Thanksgiving, Take the Higher Road
No one is claiming that it will be simple. Conspiracy theories that make you want to rip your hair out are possible. Indeed, you may have to avoid a few uncomfortable inquiries about your marital status and whether you plan to leave the city at any point.
However, eating together isn’t about resolving every conflict. It’s important to keep in mind that we are messy, complex, and incredibly flawed human beings first and foremost.
Try it this Thanksgiving, then. Take a seat at the table. Give me the mashed potatoes, please. Laugh, pay attention, and take a deep breath when the discussion turns political. Your relationships don’t have to be dry, even though the turkey can be.
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