Navigating Political Conversations With Family

By Ally

With election day upon us, many of us might be have spent the past months having tough conversations with family members. From race to protests to the future of the country, there are a lot of opinions and feelings shared on these heavy, important topics. Many people feel divided from their parents or other relatives about who should be the next president. 

Meleeza and I have talked with our family members throughout this year on these subjects. For me, these conversations started arguments, caused frustration, and created tension. 

For those of you engaging in these difficult discussions with your parents, or other family members, here are a few ways to keep these conversations as productive and meaningful as possible. 

Practice Active Listening

Active listening is key when having difficult conversations. Even though people stand on different sides, give the other person the chance to talk, then respond after they’re done. Hopefully, they do the same for you. 

Be Realistic 

If your family members have a hard time being open-minded about these topics, have realistic expectations going into these conversations. Remember they hold strong views and that one conversation might not change their mind completely. 

Take A Break

Having these conversations can take a toll on you, so take a break if you need to. Recharge and clear your mind. Having these discussions have frustrated me to the point where I start to tear up and I have to take a breather. If you start getting upset and raise your voice, the other person might do the same and the conversation won’t be heading in a productive direction. 

Have Boundaries 

Setting boundaries is so important and can be set kindly and politely. There are just basic things people should know not to say, but they say it anyway. Make sure you are treated with respect and that they don’t cross a line. I’ve had to distance myself from people that couldn’t respect me, so do that if necessary. 

Some of these discussions just won’t go your way. People won’t change their mind, they might not respect your opinions, and things will get awkward. Sadly, that is the reality. Remember to stay patient and strong. These tips might not work in every situation, but hopefully, it will help you navigate through some of these difficult conversations.