I feel the this election is particularly stressful due to the increasing split between parties, and this year most notably, the divisions occurring within both parties. There are many republicans, including those who are well renowned, refusing to support their presidential candidate for the first time in their lives, compared to the shameless support and passion towards Trump that other republicans express. On the democratic side there is a clear sense of anger amongst the many Bernie Sanders supporters and many are planning on voting third party, risking a split of the democratic vote. There is a sense of hopelessness regarding the election as there is a record breaking distaste for both candidates. There is also a widespread recognition
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Some of the suggestions for coping in the articles seem to come from a place of privilege and can be better practiced by those who will not be directly affected by the outcome. One mentioned putting things in perspective but then went on to say, “There have been contentious elections before, and we got through them and we will this time, too.” This seems to trivialize the experiences of those who weren’t able to make it or who's lives were deeply and negatively affected by whoever was elected in the past. It also doesn’t take into account how the number of hate crimes committed have increased in the light of Trumps campaign. There are reasons to be genuinely afraid and we shouldn’t pass it off as irrational and something you need to ignore and not talk about because “everything will be okay in the end.” This also applies to certain mechanisms that suggest we halt any political discussion with others just to avoid conflict. The main goal should be to find a medium between ignorance as bliss, and the constant absorption and worry about every little issue and dramatic scandal being reported and shared on social media. I think there is a huge imbalance in the media in regards to drama and scandals vs. conversation on real issues, and you don’t really realize it unless you do spend time away from it. There was a mention in one article about spending some time in isolation from the news and radio. I actually experienced that recently where for a week I was in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, in total silence and isolation. When I was back in an airport there was a TV blaring the latest scandal from the Trump campaign and more about Clinton’s emails. My mind experienced some sort of shock. I literally had to emotionally adjust to being back in a society where this surrounds you 24/7. It helped me separate what issues are important, and what is just for shock value and controversy. I agree
Some of the suggestions for coping in the articles seem to come from a place of privilege and can be better practiced by those who will not be directly affected by the outcome. One mentioned putting things in perspective but then went on to say, “There have been contentious elections before, and we got through them and we will this time, too.” This seems to trivialize the experiences of those who weren’t able to make it or who's lives were deeply and negatively affected by whoever was elected in the past. It also doesn’t take into account how the number of hate crimes committed have increased in the light of Trumps campaign. There are reasons to be genuinely afraid and we shouldn’t pass it off as irrational and something you need to ignore and not talk about because “everything will be okay in the end.” This also applies to certain mechanisms that suggest we halt any political discussion with others just to avoid conflict. The main goal should be to find a medium between ignorance as bliss, and the constant absorption and worry about every little issue and dramatic scandal being reported and shared on social media. I think there is a huge imbalance in the media in regards to drama and scandals vs. conversation on real issues, and you don’t really realize it unless you do spend time away from it. There was a mention in one article about spending some time in isolation from the news and radio. I actually experienced that recently where for a week I was in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, in total silence and isolation. When I was back in an airport there was a TV blaring the latest scandal from the Trump campaign and more about Clinton’s emails. My mind experienced some sort of shock. I literally had to emotionally adjust to being back in a society where this surrounds you 24/7. It helped me separate what issues are important, and what is just for shock value and controversy. I agree