In order to understand politics, we must understand people. To that end, I have spent this past winter talking to five individuals who live in different areas of America. They are committed to dialogue and debate in order to foster community in the face of America’s changing political landscapes.  Those conversations will be posted here as a five part series describing how these individuals have maintained closeness with people who do not share their political ideology.  

The Changing Nature of Political Engagement

For this first part of this series, I talked to Chris, a 33 year old who is a registered independent. He says his political views lean libertarian. Chris lives in a Maryland suburb of DC and commutes into the nation’s capital each day for work. He actively follows politics and votes regularly in national and local elections. He is planning on voting in the upcoming midterm elections.

Friendships Across Political Divides

Chris has friends across the world’s time zones. Keeping up with them while also chasing after his two young children can be a challenge. Luckily, WhatsApp, an internationally popular messaging app, makes this much easier. But his favorite WhatsApp thread, the one he responds to the most, is strictly about politics. Made up of his wife and two of his childhood friends, both of whom identify with a different political party than he does, he responds to this thread at least every other day. This thread has given him the chance to challenge his friend’s opinions and also to be challenged. And these challenges have gotten him thinking. Everyone chooses their friends for different reasons, but friendships should not based on a political litmus test.

The Shift in America’s Political Landscape

A lot has changed in American politics since Chris created the WhatsApp thread two years ago. This will probably come as no surprise to anyone reading this. Most Americans seem to agree that America’s political ideology has irretrievably changed in the past eighteen months. Americans no longer seem to vote based on ideologies, though they still hold on to them, as Chris and his friends do.  

Culture Over Ideology: What Drives Voter Decisions?

Instead, voters on either side of the political spectrum seem to vote in order to defend what they see as proud trademarks of their communities. Because culture may determine voting choices more than ideology, the need for Americans to avoid using a political litmus test to determine who their friends are is more important now than ever.

The Enduring Nature of Core Values

But the old ideological preferences of the recent past can still be found in the pages of many media outlets and in the opinions’ of their writers and readers. The core differences between traditional liberals and conservatives remain the same. That also means their similarities still exist too. Most Americans still hold the same values they held a few years ago. Americans’ core beliefs have not changed. America’s politicians have changed.  

Building Community Beyond Political Labels

While the ideologically driven conversations of 2015 may be the stuff of nostalgia, what hasn’t changed is the fabric of American society.  Like Chris, many people become friends with each other in school, or over pizza. They share memories and experiences, which is more important than sharing political opinions. Most Americans, whether they identify as Liberal or Conservative, often hold the same values.  And this is what Chris and his friends have learned through their ongoing dialogues; they agree more than they disagree.

The Power of Political Dialogue in Today’s America

In the current political era, the labels they used to identify with hold less weight now more than ever. Chris says the most important thing he and friends agree on, even if it is the simplest answer, is that they want the best for their country. I have a feeling most Americans would agree with Chris and his friends. While we have seen politicians and political parties try to gain power by encouraging us to treat those who don’t agree with us as the enemy, this is not in the best interest of our country.

A Call to Engage Without Dividing

Don’t fall for this. Vote for what you believe is best.  WeVote is here to make sure your voice is heard. WeVote doesn’t believe you have to choose a side. We know that your opinions can be varied, and that most people simply want what Chris and his friends want, a chance to talk to each other. WeVote wants that too. We want to you be able to explain what that means to you by creating a Voter Guide and connecting with organizations who are working on issues that are important to you.

Elizabeth Janeczko spent ten years teaching high schoolers before deciding to move across the country to earn a degree in public policy. She is passionate about civics, education, political issues, and prose. Ms. Janeczko volunteers with We Vote as Senior Writer & Content Marketing Manager.