Finding Hope Amongst the Chaos - Noor Alshafie

What are your personal reactions/feelings towards the current political climate and how has it impacted you?

A myriad of emotions spring to mind when I reflect upon the political climate I have been shaped by over my past twenty-one years of life, but especially the tumultuous past four years I have experienced since the 2016 election. My sense of self-importance is not inflated to the point of believing that my opinion is the sole correct answer. I do not write with the intent of providing a viable solution to the state of the world or simply because I care about democracy. The country is failing, and I am set to graduate in May into a world of complete disarray. This is personal for me, as it should be for everyone in our nation, regardless of their place in life at the moment.

I am a visible Muslim-American woman living in Ohio in 2020. I have been called every name, received every look, and have had one of my most important identities labeled as an enemy of the country by this nation’s leadership. This combination could have led to sheer apathy, but I have used it to drive me in my courses, leadership, and personal life. I genuinely enjoy engaging in dialogue and believe people too readily dismiss others who do not agree with their points of view. It may not be my job to educate others, but I know that if I do not, then no one else will. I want people to have a positive experience through my interactions with them, so they understand that the media stereotypes are simply just that, stereotypes.

It is not about being a Democrat or being a Republican; It is about remembering the humanity in people and remembering that we are all human beings at the end of the day. Life is difficult enough without the increased hate on social media and at (COVID-19 safe) gatherings. That does not mean you give up on fighting for your rights and for equality, but you do so through building common ground and forming relationships that have not been present beforehand. It’s about being authentic and showing up as your whole self in every space and not compartmentalizing your identities to please others. It is not until this country recognizes the strength in being truly inclusive, beyond a buzzword term, that peacebuilding can occur, and the hostile political climate will heal.

What changes do you hope to see moving forward in the area of political discourse and discord?

Political discourse is incredibly important, but when debate and discord turn into hate and anger, the actual issues that need one’s attention are forgotten. The hostility or the idea of entering every conversation hoping to “win” is a threat to society as fear arises and distrust mounts. To combat this, I hope every member of our society collectively distances themselves a bit from instantly posting everything on social media and demonstrates empathy in conversation, but more than anything I hope citizens have confidence in their convictions and beliefs. By being confident in our beliefs, there is no need to feel threatened in debate because you know that your truths are guiding you.

Furthermore, we cannot be silent in hopes to avoid hostile discourse, but instead need to model positive conversation because it enables us to preserve our relationships and beliefs by working productively towards a better future. It may be tiring and draining to constantly be fighting but fighting only leads to more fighting and no understanding. We need to take a moment to step back and use our words to build clarity and vision. This also allows for us to weigh each perspective and create holistic and actionable change.

Do you have any tips/advice/guidance for fellow Buckeyes in navigating political disarray?

I have absolutely loved my past three and a half years as a Buckeye and have seen first-hand the power my peers have to create change. First and foremost, I recommend taking care of yourself. You cannot help others if you yourself are not well and are not in a physical, mental, and emotional space of content. You need to carve out time for yourself and the things that you love or else the burnout of championing yourself and others will be felt.

Second, stay curious; while the political climate is tumultuous and it may seem easy to turn off social media and the news, that can be dangerous. You should stay curious even when it is easier to turn the other cheek because it allows for us to open our minds and really acknowledge what is occurring around us.

Third, living in a country like the U.S. is a blessing in the sense that it allows everyone to be entitled to their own opinions. In these times, it’s easy to think there is more division than unity, but there really is just an opportunity to shift your focus and rewire your brain to stop judging those who disagree with you. At the end of the day, we’re all Buckeyes and we are here to get an education and grow as individuals. Growth requires being uncomfortable, to an extent, and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. With this in mind, Election Day and the announcement of the results, regardless if it’s the same day or 10 days later, we will still be a community and we need to come together as one.