Why Americans Judge Each Other On Their Political Views

A friend once passionately said “I will never date a Republican”! I was familiar with American politics at this point, I’d even chosen a side. I imagined myself as an American, what experiences I would have had if I was African American, and upon that I concluded; if I was born in America, I would have been a Democrat. Even having chosen an imagined political side, I was still confused by why Americans decide one’s moral code by one’s political standing.

In South Africa, our morality is completely divorced from what political party you want to have in power. We can spend hours debating politics and fundamentally disagree on our positions, but that in no way defines who we are as people — our values, morals, principles and humanity. We debate politics similarly to how we debate sports. We care who is in power but not in a way where we can lose friendships or decide future potential relationships. Politics has no standing and doesn’t in any way inform who we are as human beings.

However, in America it is the complete opposite and I am intrigued. I became interested in American politics during the Obama years. Black South Africa had a soft spot for the almost African president. We also know what it feels like to have the first black president. It was only in 1994 that Nelson Mandela became that for us. It was also exciting…