How We Can Heal the Divide

Among the happiest times of my life was my two years as a full-time representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church sends young people, between the ages of 18 and above, on optional proselyting missions to specifically serve and edify the communities they’re assigned to. One of the most exciting moments for a young person is when they receive their infamous “mission call” or in more colloquial terms, a letter notifying the young person where they will be serving. I was called to Oaxaca, Mexico. I was very excited when I was officially called there just five years ago. Right after we found out where I was headed, my mother told me something that I still hold very dearly. Shortly before I got my call, my grandfather tragically passed away. It was and is still is a very traumatic and emotional experience for my entire family. In fact, my middle name comes from my grandfather Avilio, a Mexican, retired taxi-driver who came to live with us a few decades after my mom first immigrated to the States. My mom told me that my grandfather Avilio had always wanted to go to Oaxaca. Once I got on Oaxacan soil, I felt an instant and spiritual connection to the people. I felt that if my grandfather himself had nudged God and told him “Manda mi nieto a Oaxaca, le va a encantar la comida” (send my grandson to Oaxaca, he is going to love the food). I felt that I was sent there to connect back to my Mexican roots and heritage, something I am very proud of.

As I mentioned, my grandfather is not originally from the United States. My mother was the first of her family to move to the States, my grandparents came soon after. My mother and grandparents are both grateful for this country and the countless opportunities it has brought to them. My mom was the first in her family to graduate college, not just any college, but a university from the United States. My grandmother worked at a nursing home while my grandfather would often help around the house, watch us grandkids while my parents were away, and would watch Las Chivas play soccer. I know he was very proud of his grandchildren who were Americans, Mexican-Americans to be more specific. And I know that he was proud of the country that brought much promise to his family.

I am a Mexican-American, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a husband, a son, a brother, and a hopeful father. I am very concerned about our nation and its future. I’ve always been into politics, in fact, I got into politics officially from the 2006 Mexican election. Since then, I’ve volunteered for both John McCain’s and Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns, and I just graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Political Science. My political ideology is clearly center-right. The one thing I am worried about is this: both political parties are becoming increasingly extreme.

Something I fundamentally believe in is that very few things in life are black and white. Unfortunately, today's political rhetoric from both sides is doing just that. Take the current racial reckoning as an example. The far-left is calling to defund and even denounce many police forces, and if you’re not with that, you are called a racist. The far-right denies that any racism even exists and symbols like the Confederate flag should continue to be flown. While issues of race and police brutality are extremely sensitive, I only use this as a relevant and timely example. Police are needed to keep our communities safe, at the same time, the issue of police brutality is not new. Tragically, many Black Americans have died at the hands of police officers that still hold longly held, incorrect, and reprehensible prejudice. In my opinion, I believe that MANY Americans agree that police brutality and racism need to end and appropriate action should be taken to do so. However, I also believe that MANY Americans view that not all police officers are bad and their jobs are very difficult. The same can be applied with COVID-19. If you are a mask-wearer you are seen as a snowflake. If you don’t wear a mask, you are going to kill your grandmother. I know that have put these two issues in a more nuanced way, but I am trying to make a point.

Essentially both parties are using fear to drive voters. It was clear and is still clear that fear is a tactic that the Trump campaign is using just as the far-left is. If you aren’t 100% with the police, you are feared of being called a weak, RINO Republican. If you don’t 100% denounce the police, you are feared to be canceled. How did we get here to this divisive, polarized point? I simply believe it is because we are not willing to listen and understand others we don’t see eye to eye with. Imagine if we were to take a week to listen to someone different from us and just try to understand. Imagine how much progress we could make. The truth is, many Americans are ideologically segregated, unwilling to even think about being wrong about a certain issue or even having their mind changed.

So, do I write this to encourage more Americans to become independents? To take down the two-party system? No. I write this in defense of America. I love this nation. I am a proud American. I see many people concerned that this is the end of America as we know it. It is not. Let this be a testament to you: this country is the home of my immigrant Mexicana mother and my Caucasian father originally from a working-class family, who worked throughout high school to help put food on the table. America’s ideals of freedom and compassion have brought both of my parents from poverty to prosperity. I know the blessing it is to have been born in this county, with all its flaws and imperfections. While 99% of crimes in Mexico go without investigation or conviction, we Americans are marching on the street for the once invisible Americans like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Jacob Blake. While Venezuelans are fleeing their country due to a brutal regime, we are able to freely dissent and criticize the government and elected officials. I can go on and on, but man, what an exceptional place this country is.

I am calling Americans to be optimistic during these difficult and sensitive times. We need one another, whatever our political ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, and creed may be. We need more understanding and kindness. The only way we can keep this country together, to keep it the republic that Benjamin Franklin proclaimed after the constitutional convention, is if we are willing to unite and not divide. Believe in America and what she is. Believe that we are a country that is still learning, evolving, and correcting.