Politics and Elections: The Power and the Rift

Politics and elections—two forces that shape the soul of a nation. We cherish them, not simply as a civic duty but as an essential freedom, a privilege earned and protected by generations past. 

With each election, we embrace the power to shape our government and the chance to choose leaders who will guide us through both trials and triumphs. This power, one that lets us speak our vision into being, is precious. We invest our hopes, our beliefs and even our prayers, with the simple act of casting a vote.

Yet this beautiful exercise in democracy is not without its trials. The nature of elections is, by design, dual: one side wins, the other loses. When the final tally does not reflect our personal hopes or ideals, disappointment naturally follows. 

Often, this disappointment does not rest with the candidates, but rather begins to take root between ourselves and others. Those we once saw as friends, family or community members may seem suddenly distant, even antagonistic, because of where they placed their vote. Suddenly we question the possibility of being able to coexist with those who chose differently.

Politics and elections have a unique power to both unite and divide. It calls us together as citizens with a shared voice, yet it can also forge rifts between neighbors, friends and family. The bitter reality is that, while we each hope to shape our nation’s future for the better, our differing visions may lead us to view one another with suspicion rather than solidarity. 

Friendships have frayed over who holds office, and years-long bonds sometimes bend under the weight of political difference. In this sense, politics can indeed feel like a kind of civil war, one that demands we choose a side, knowing that one must inevitably lose while the other claims victory.

I am inclined to say that as hard as it may seem, we must resist allowing this division to define us. As citizens, we share a bond that goes deeper than any election outcome. Our lives are intertwined; we live, work, and grow alongside each other, even as our beliefs evolve and diverge. This shared bond is not a weakness but a strength, and it can anchor us through the turbulence of political seasons.

We are more than voters. We are a community, bound by something deeper than politics alone. At Maryville College, we have committed to something that transcends our political divisions: a covenant of scholarship, respect and integrity. 

This covenant calls us to recognize the worth in each other, to uphold respect even when differences emerge, and to honor each other’s humanity above all. It’s a bond that is stronger than any election result, a shared commitment to learning, to growth, and to fostering an environment where every voice has value.

In this spirit, let’s remind ourselves that each of our feelings is valid. Whatever we feel—whether joy or disappointment, whether we are celebrating or grieving—it is real, and it deserves acknowledgment. No one is “right” or “wrong” in their feelings, and each perspective brings its own understanding to the shared experience of being part of a democracy. 

Acknowledging each other’s emotions doesn’t mean we abandon our convictions; it means we value each other’s humanity enough to listen and respect.

To honor this bond, let us approach each other with an open hand, rather than a pointed finger. Let us invite healthy conversation, no matter how deeply we feel our loyalties or how disappointed we may be in the outcome. Even when emotions run high and beliefs run deep, we can choose respect over resentment. The true power of democracy is not in uniformity but in unity—the understanding that, while we may disagree, we are still working toward a common good.

So, to each of us, let this be an invitation. Engage in politics with passion but approach one another with compassion. Vote with conviction, but listen with an open heart. When the final vote has been cast, let’s remember: our shared commitment to a better future is stronger than any single election outcome. And in embracing this, we preserve the true spirit of democracy—one built on hope, not hostility; on conversation, not conflict; and on unity, not division.