After the deep political division sewn in 2020, America saw families broken apart by political differences. Lately, some Liberals who were encouraged to shun family members in the past five years have begun reconsidering their actions. However, Democrats continue to discourage amicable relationships between the parties, shaming their own side for attempting to make amends. 

Fractured Families

Especially in the wake of the numerous controversies and social upheaval in 2020, Americans were less willing than ever to hear what the other side had to say. Unfortunately, the social bubbles we sought to construct for ourselves were made possible by the physical quarantine and social media algorithms ready to cater our feeds, news, and friends to our taste.

Not only was isolation treated as a survival mechanism to preserve political views, but it was also used as a weapon against former loved ones who “needed” correction. This “shunning” tactic was specifically used by leftists who hoped their actions would win hearts over for their cause.

“Is It Time to Stop Snubbing Your Right-Wing Family?” was published by the New York Times last Sunday. In this op-ed, author and former Obama speech writer David Litt reflects on his decision (as a radical liberal) to lay aside politics for the sake of civility and normal human friendship

Litt recounts how he split ties with his younger brother-in-law over political differences that grew into cavernous ideological divides. “We were on opposite sides of a cultural civil war,” Litt remembers. “Had Matt been a friend rather than a family member, I probably would have cut off contact.”

His attitude “wasn’t personal. It was strategic… felt like the right thing to do.” Litt was not alone in his mindset; many articles published during the early 2020s were centered around shunning those with differing opinions in an effort to change their minds.  

Instead of destroying relationships permanently, the Left assumed shaming and shunning would create “teachable moments” between Democrats and Republicans.

A Transformed Perspective

Litt reports that there was a hiccup in his scheme: “We live in a world of online fandoms, choose-you-own adventure information and parasocial relationships… Those exiled from one version of society were quickly welcomed by another.”

Litt’s revelation is not unique. Other writers have been waking up to the role that shunning and shaming has played in modern political divides. 

“We have a tendency now to attack supporters of particular political candidates,” said Carolyn Long in an interview back in 2023. “I argue that those attacks actually make people more entrenched in their beliefs.”

Once Litt became open to a relationship with his brother-in-law, he realized that though they “don’t always approve of each other’s choices… [they] like each other.” Though Litt understands that no one is required to break bread with people they wish to avoid, he encourages his readers to reconsider their choice to distance themselves from friends and family.

“Our differences are meaningful, but allowing them to mean everything is part of how we ended up here,” he suggested. “Keeping the door open to unlikely friendship isn’t a betrayal of principles; it’s an affirmation of them.”

Contempt for Conservatives

Unfortunately, Litt is in the minority on the left. From comedians to celebrities, media influencers to everyday people, many liberals are still unwilling to mend bridges.

A harsh criticism of Litt’s Times piece and his newest book (which echoes many of the op-ed’ s sentiments) arose from writer Sarah Jones of New York Magazine. Jones is broadly a critic of finding common ground with conservatives.

“Neutral ground,” Jones declares, “does not exist. Not in a family, or in a friendship, or anywhere else.” Furthering her isolating ideas, Jones suggests that sometimes when you despise the beliefs a person has, you simply must move forward through life without them altogether. The MAGA movement, which Jones suggests “has killed and will probably kill again,” is unworthy of her friendship or the forgiveness of her liberal friends.

Even Jones acknowledges that “shunning won’t work as a political strategy,” but she doesn’t care; showing family the consequences of their bad ideologies and politically incorrect actions is vital.

Other liberals jumped on board with Jones, trampling Litt’s position. The top-voted comments under his article were critical of his view and called for more division and ostracization.

Moving Forward

Litt’s revelation and consequential relationship with his brother is a success. Despite the piece’s blatantly derogatory comments toward conservatives , readers should be glad that a family relationship has been mended.

Even if liberals are unable to come to the same conclusions as their conservative counterparts, there are still worthwhile relationships waiting to be forged and strengthened across political lines. It is, as Litt explains, difficult to hate someone with whom you break bread and catch waves.

Democrats so firmly rooted in their desire to cut off dissenters are destined to live in an ever-divided country. Sadly, they seem to prefer it that way.