With the COVID-19 pandemic and the Black Lives Matter movement dominating the summer headlines, conservatives and liberals are butting heads on every issue more than ever before. However, listening to science and treating people equally shouldn’t be treated as a left versus right argument. 

The CDC has been advising people to wear masks since the beginning of the pandemic. They follow scientific fact, and ignoring its suggestions to follow partisan lines isn’t getting us anywhere as a nation. To conquer this virus, the entire nation needs to be wearing masks and maintaining social distancing. 

Exactly what turned these basic instructions to survive a deadly virus into a political choice? Well, many Republicans seemingly believe that a world-wide pandemic is some sort of hoax and wearing a mask goes against their rights. However, caring about the health of others isn’t an infringement on one’s rights, it’s common courtesy.

The same question must be asked when it comes to the Black Lives Matter movement. How can anyone ignore the incidents that seem to happen at least once a month of questionable police shootings of Black people? 

Racism has always been a problem in our country and now we are living in a time that America can choose to change. The only person that is in the way of that change is our president. He leaves supporters of Black rights waiting for justice, which looks like it will take forever. 

It’s not a matter of being a Republican or a Democrat, it’s whether or not you are willing to and support the dismantling of systemic racism. Just because Trump doesn’t support the movement doesn’t make it OK for people to use that as their excuse to be racist. For example, just because Trump gave a slot at the Republican National Convention to a couple that stood outside their house with guns during a BLM protest doesn’t mean racism needs to be supported or put on a pedestal nationwide. 

It also isn’t an excuse to ignore the deep-rooted inequality in our country. I would like to think that a nation could come together for the greater good, but sadly we are letting our parties shape what we believe. It shouldn’t, and doesn’t have to be that way. 

Everyone has their own opinions and we are lucky to live in a country where we can voice them. However, when it comes to treating people equally and with respect, things that ought to be common sense, there should be no disagreement between political parties.