Unite and Heal: Resolving Political and Social Divides for a Better Nation - Essay Sample

Introduction

I agree with Haidt's argument. The nation cannot heal if the current political and social divides exist. The current split is deeply rooted in resentment and disgust on the other side that has become so intense that it affects our social well-being. The differences that appeared during the last election cycle were much more significant and hopeless. Unless the differences are resolved, the country would not move forward as a united one or heal from the wounds incurred during this period.

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The healing process can be advocated first by the leaders, the politicians in power. This is currently not possible because of the resentment of the political leaders. This resentment has advanced the defamation of the other side, and there is more effort concentrated on finding faults and mistakes on the other side, than promoting the good that can be attained by the specific political leader (TED Talks 2016). This is confirmed by Haidt using the principle of moral psychology: that we are tribal. It is entrenched in human beings to have conflicts, and this will be eternal. Our tribal nature does not always have to lead to wars (Haidt 20). The healing of the nation can only be realized if the tribal lines are used to build up the society, to recognize our diversity in cultures, and use the diversity to build a homogenous community that would create more socioeconomic advancement.

There is also a new aspect that has been added to our society today that did not play a role in political and social differences; this is the online platform of social media. Information can now be shared more freely from one person to another. This freedom, however, means that the information is less censored, and hate can be easily spread in society. With the internet, it is easier to find defaming information online. Most of the negative publicity is assumed to be true once it promoted by a majority without considering the truth. The healing can occur only if the internet can be used to spread the love even along the perceived tribal lines.

Haidt's argument drives the idea that healing and rebuilding of trust in the society can only occur if both sides of the divide are open to looking at the mistakes that they have made, and have the willingness to apologize and make amends with the other side of the divide (TED Talks 2016). There needs to be a feeling of empathy from both sides; with empathy, each of the sides will strive to understand what the opposite side feels and will be able to understand their perspective. Haidt's message is directed to all the American citizens, but mostly to the younger citizens. They are the leaders of the future, and it is the young people that will form the base for tomorrow's society (Haidt 12). Healing of the nation cannot occur in one day but is a gradual process, the young people in the society need to, therefore, embrace the changes that need to take place, and gradually change the political and social outlook in the society. This would at least reassure a better future where political differences do not lead to a divided nation, but more growth and prosperity.

Personal Reflection

Before the course, I viewed writing as one of the most impossible, intimidating tasks to accomplish. I saw the process of transferring one's thoughts to paper as one that would require a lot of expertise. The process would require a lot of commitment and would be time-consuming. Writing, in my opinion, would be something that would only be accomplished by individuals who have the innate passion, time, and skill to put down their thoughts on paper.

Through the course, I have learned that the art of writing is an acquired skill rather than an inborn talent. The research process has helped me in improving the quality of content that I write. The process of expressing my thoughts has improved. I have been able to incorporate a variety of writing techniques. The reading and research have also enabled me to acquire the skill to analyze and dissect articles to draw out the main points to understand the writer's perspective and the intended message from the articles and books.

I would still like to adopt more complex writing styles. I would not only want to write in a simple way but to incorporate thoughts that would appeal to the more intellectual population in our society today. I would also like to make an improvement in the interpretation of research material and the analysis of the same, through this. My dedication, as concerns time, also needs to improve. Writing is a time-consuming process, but with practice, the time consumed can lead to a productive outcome when all the skills learned are put into proper use.

The opportunity to express my thoughts and share the same with others has been the most appealing to me. Learning to put down my opinions on emerging issues in the society has made me more concerned and interested in the society around me today. This has even created in me the awareness of the changes that I need to make as an individual for the better of the society. The process has also made me more empathetic to the feelings and thoughts of others and the need to recognize and appreciate our differences.

For me, the most challenging part has been the time consumed in the process. The reading, research, and writing take a lot of time. Interpreting content correctly, not only requires skill but time to understand the message that a fellow writer intended to put across.

Through this course, I have acquired skills in self-expression and social education through the writing process. The interpretation of the content is necessary in future tests, writing essays, and research papers. In the future, I would like to have some of my work published, and the skills acquired in this course would help me in expressing my opinions in a thoughtful, respectful, and transparent manner that can be understood well by the intended audience.

Works Cited

Haidt, Jonathan. The righteous mind: Why good people are divided by politics and religion. Vintage, 2012. Retrieved from: https://www.righteousmind.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/ch07.RighteousMind.final_.pdf

TED Talks, (2016). Jonathan Haidt's TED talk "Can a divided America heal?" YouTube Video. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-_Az5nZBBM