Make America Great, Again? - Tribalism in Politics

Political Tribalism: Examining the Divide - An illustration portraying the elephant and donkey, symbols of America's political factions, questioning the unity implied in "Make America Great Again."

I’m not here to talk politics, but I am curious how so many people got it all the way wrong. I was hesitant to post this—and honestly, I think my earliest version of these thoughts missed the mark too. Luckily, I’ve got a great team around me. They represent a range of perspectives, and together we found a path that made sense.

Still, the burning question remains:

Why does tribalism in politics bring out the most divisive and hateful parts of us?

Both sides—yeah, both sides, liberals and conservatives—point fingers and cry foul. The reality? Nobody’s right. The finger-pointing has everyone blind and aimless.

Let’s lay out some uncomfortable truths:

• The world is not a better place because Charlie Kirk passed away.

• What truly harms us is not one individual—it's the polarizing messages that deepen division.

• Outrage over a senseless death is an acceptable response.

• Attacking an entire group of people because you’re outraged is reckless and childish.

• Celebrating death is thoughtless and cowardly—especially from those who never took action or voiced their opinion before someone lost their life.

• Evil exists, but probably not in the homes of the people you hate. More likely, it lives in the homes of the figures you glorify.

The hate we’re witnessing runs deep. Our party affiliation now determines our level of acceptance. It’s the new racism. The new holy war. And the line is so well-defined, no one dares stand in the middle or be a bridge between sides.

So who wins? I There is only one clear winner, the people who programmed us this way. The ones who control the message and the media, who only show us the most extreme takes so our emotion carries their torch. The ones who profit from political unrest and sway campaigns with their monopoly of networks. The threat is a machine—not our neighbor, and we know it deep down.

I was urged to write a song about all this—to capitalize on the unrest in the country. But I won’t. This isn’t a time to cash in. It’s a time to take stock. I watched Tom MacDonald’s “Charlie.” What many saw as a tribute to aid a widow and her now fatherless children, I saw as a self-serving, opportunistic move. It fed on outrage and deepened the divide at a moment when the country desperately needs unity.

And it’s not just Tom. Countless public figures are outraged “for Charlie,” using his name to gain political capital and embolden their fanbase or party. I find the justifications for murder equally repulsive and callous. Perspectives shouldn’t cost people their lives—regardless of how we perceive them. The truth is, these are the tools used to spread hatred. And if we don’t use them, if we don’t give them energy, they lose their power.

So, what should we be doing? How about we all invest in mirrors—and recognize the fault in ourselves before we go hunting for flaws in others. How about we take the time to understand at least one perspective other than our own, fight the urge to react in the moment, and sit with the information long enough to actually process it.

We’ve got to stop letting party lines—and things that honestly don’t impact our day-to-day—dictate our moods and how we feel about the people around us.

Furthermore: Every person who voted for Trump isn’t racist. Every Democrat isn’t lazy.

We have to think differently. Act differently. Push back on the narratives we’re being force fed. Differences in opinion are powerful—if we use them to find solutions to our common issues.

The next time you find yourself outraged or triggered by the information you receive, share your perspective. Don’t be afraid to be loud about it—but do the world a favor and spare us your negativity. You might actually get your message across.