As many of you are aware, Tuesday night was the election, and Donald Trump is now the president-elect of the United States. Typing that sentence made me sick to my stomach all over again.
I’m also sure you’re aware that we’re about a week and a half away from Thanksgiving. Usually, that would be enough to make anyone happy. I can say with certainty that we’re all ready to leave campus and spend some time with our families.
However, spending time with family may be a little difficult for people this year, especially because of differing political views between different members of a family. I like to consider myself an expert on differing family politics. So, I’d like to give anyone who may be struggling with topics to talk about that don’t involve politics or give people some deflecting points if political talk does break out over turkey and potatoes.
I come from a family that loves to eat, so my go-to to change the topic has always been food. If someone at the Thanksgiving dinner table starts talking about something that’s making you uncomfortable, divert their attention with food. There’s sure to be plenty of food on the table, so just offer your family member a plate of green beans (or whatever is closest for you to reach) and hope they’ll be distracted enough to forget what they were talking about just moments before.
If political talk happens pre- or post-Thanksgiving dinner, there’s also a chance where a simple subject change might do the trick. After all, there’s multiple football games that are going to be on TV during the day. If you and some of your family are into football, there’s always a chance talking about football will be enough to change the subject. If professional football isn’t going to do the trick, try switching to college football. The Ohio State-Michigan game is right after Thanksgiving and, if your family is like mine, there’s a literal divide where some people root for Ohio State and some people root for Michigan.
Of course, not everyone likes football, so that’s when another game plan needs to come into play. The revival of “Gilmore Girls” comes out the day after Thanksgiving, so if your family is driving you nuts, you can always hide away with the girls of Stars Hollow.
As to finding something to watch before the big meal, that’s where you have to come up with your designated go-to show. It’s always an important thing to have in times of emergencies, like family disagreements. For me, my current go-to is “Chicago Fire.” It doesn’t matter that I’ve seen the episodes multiple times. The show brings me comfort and that is what matters.
But, of course, if politics does keep rearing its ugly head, and you feel like you have to defend your position, whatever your political beliefs may be, try to prepare a list of your arguments in advance. That way, if you’re like me and would get flustered, you have a list of what you want to get out.
Good luck with Thanksgiving if you think your family is going to be crazy political.
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