Taking a Page Out of Dr. Seuss's Book
As of late, social media and news channels have been reduced down to a congregation of angry people yelling about whatever ‘upset’ is circulating the globe that particular day. It seems as though picking a side is expected, rather than putting two heads together and making a solution that everyone can be satisfied with.
Despite the political gridlock, we find ourselves stagnated by nowadays, as adults there are still many lessons we can learn from Dr. Seuss kid books. Yes, I said Dr. Seuss- the kid storybook legend. You’ve heard about him, right? “The Zax” was written by Dr. Seuss in 1953, and what we find within it is a cleverly placed reference to all the divisiveness amongst political topics.
Here you have two of the same creatures, just with opposing motives- a north-going Zax and a south-going Zax. As they are traveling in their respective direction, they eventually become face-to-face. They refuse to budge, not even an inch, due to their stubbornness and stand there pathetically, refusing to cooperate. They end up standing there for an obscenely long time and realize that the world didn’t stop for them. Regardless of whether or not you can compromise, the world will keep turning and those problems will not cease to exist- they will only continue to fester. The only way to actually fix them is to work together. At the end of the book, you see the two hardheaded Zax characters, still in the very same place, with weaving developments of highway overpasses all around them- showing that even if you stop, the World will not wait for you.
Image Courtesy: Seuss fandom
If it wasn’t obvious enough, the self-righteous Zax characters can easily exemplify the attitudes of our political parties. We are the same creatures, advocating for the betterment of our country, but with each party having differing directives, we find ourselves at a halt in our progression.
This isn’t to bash any party or to specifically call anything out. This is a request for the sake of our future.
Try to not take differences so personally and instead learn from them, rather than become barricaded by them. You can’t expect anyone to hear you out if you won’t do the same in return. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion but having a civil political discussion can really change the mentality regarding them. Getting huffy and frustrated won’t do any good, but abiding by the golden rule- treating everyone the way you’d like to be treated- could make everything a little less war-like.
Be respectful of everybody, individuals have a walk of life unique to them. They have gone through their own fair share of tests and experiences that mold their outlook and views. Giving each person a chance to explain themselves, in turn, give that opportunity right back to you. I for certain am much more apt to listen and genuinely consider what the other person is saying when they respect my own autonomy and treat me like a human being, not just the things I advocate for or believe in. Like my mother has always told me, “you learn a lot more about people by just being nice”.
Strike Out,
Writer: Gillian McKendree
Editor: Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee