There are many aspects that help connect our community. For better or worse, politics are one manner in which our community becomes connected, and hopefully grows for the better. Dustin White photo

Observations

Dustin White

Writing about politics can be a tricky endeavor. It is a subject that many people are deeply tied to. For some, even just that manner in which they identify politically can be a foundational building block of who they are. Insult one party, and you’re likely to insult individual peoples personally.

Attempting to build a community publication, one that sets out to help build up that community, instead of tearing it down, I’ve often wondered how the topic of politics can fit in; or if it should be ignored all together.

A few months ago, when Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump came to Bismarck, I had made the decision to keep my publication further away from the politics arena. Watching the stories, as well as the comments and social media in general, the anger that was produced was near deafening.

North Dakota wasn’t a unique situation though, as that rhetoric both proceeded, and succeeded the visits. Yet, it should be of little surprise. Watching the news, what happened in North Dakota should have been expected, as it would appear as if the United States was on the verge of a complete collapse; a collapse caused by the other side being elected.

Its a narrative the sells because negativity sells. It draws in readers, and boosts the bottom line. In an age where we are constantly being bombarded by this sort of news, with multitudes of news agencies vying for our clicks, it becomes easy to be suckered in.

Coupled with that is a bias, one that news agencies often deny. That bias was seen when Sanders and Trump visited Bismarck. The amount of coverage Trump received mushroomed that in which Sanders did. Hours were spent simply on talking about Trump’s airplane.

But where that bias came in most clearly was with the numbers reported. One local publication, when speaking of the number of individuals who turned out for Sander’s event estimated the number to be over 500. While technically they were right, the number was grossly under exaggerated, even though they had been given the official numbers. When it came to Trump, there was no such problem.

So the question is, is it worth trying to engage in political discussions, and if so, how does a publication do so in a way that doesn’t divide? Those are questions I’ve struggled with, but ones that needed to be addressed.

Politics are an important part of our lives, whether we like it or not. From the President of the United States, to our local mayors and city commissioners, and all those in between, these individuals play vital roles in our everyday lives. And since they are so integral to a community, the topic can’t be avoided.

How to engage in political discussion then becomes increasingly important. But what’s most important, I believe, is to not play into the fear and negativity, which is so easy to do, and accept that there are differing view points.

Instead, I believe that a positive message can win over. A message of hope, of understanding, and of change; a change that truly benefits this country. That is a message I want to help further with this publication.