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What’s the deal with all the polarization?

Given the events of the year that just concluded, it’s no wonder that the Merriam-Webster Word of the Year — announced early last month — was “polarization.”

The dictionary folks weren’t suggesting that it’s getting too cold. Quite the opposite, actually. This polarization has nothing to do with polar bears, ice caps or the Arctic Circle. In this case, the word “polarization” comes right after another “P” word — political.

This is not a new development. Things have been headed that way for years as fringe elements on both sides of the American political spectrum grew less and less likely to find common ground and the crowd in the middle felt less and less likely that they had a home on either side.

That middle group — people my friend and colleague Warren Dillaway likes to refer to as “radical centrists” — also has become smaller in recent years. The pull of the loudest fringe elements on both sides has been heavy, as if those in the middle had to pick one side or the other in order to feel relevant.

That’s pure bunk, of course. It doesn’t really matter what your beliefs are when it comes to those squeakiest of wheels on the left or right. If you’re not identifiably with one of them, you’re undoubtedly against them and you’ll be treated as such.

For example: If you’re critical of President Joe Biden and his administration, you must be a Trumper, and if you support President-elect Donald Trump in any way, you’re a fascist. I know this because more than a few of our cherished readers have told me so in no uncertain terms.

Two liberal readers chided me about a column I wrote in which I lamented that we didn’t have better presidential candidates than Trump or Kamala Harris. Their beef was that I didn’t include enough specifics about why Trump was a bad candidate. One literally counted the paragraphs about Trump and the paragraphs about Harris to make the case that I was underselling Trump’s bad points.

Similarly, if you are critical of Trump and any of his Cabinet choices, you’re surely a communist and part of the left-wing cabal that is trying to destroy America. I know this because more than a few of our cherished readers have told me so.

A conservative reader insisted that we sandbagged letters to the editor and Sound Off submissions that were pro-Trump because on one weekend, there happened to be six Sound Off items that bashed the former president and only two that praised his candidacy. That couldn’t possibly be, he said, because Trump won Trumbull County in 2016 and 2020 and won Mahoning County in 2020. He didn’t understand the concepts of sample size and that not all conservatives — including himself — weren’t bombarding us with letters and Sound Off submissions.

Another reader wanted to cancel her subscription because of an Associated Press story about Trump that she felt was slanted against him.

The polarization doesn’t stop with newspaper readers or cable / TV news consumers. I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum who base some of their entertainment choices based on what they know about the political beliefs of actors, athletes and other celebrities.

A conservative friend has declared that he can’t — or won’t — watch anything Bryan Cranston does. The reason? Because the actor — speaking about “MAGA” — said, “When was it ever great in America for the African-American?” Other friends have criticized Robert DeNiro, an outspoken critic of Trump, or musical artists like Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift or Beyonce. All of whom supported Harris in the 2024 presidential election.

Left-leaning friends have made similar statements about well-known people who lean to the right. Tim Allen, Jon Voight and James Woods are frequently criticized because of conservative views. Some athletes have come under fire for expressing conservative views or for mimicking Trump’s dance moves on the field.

I’m not here to argue the merits of what Cranston or any other celebrity might believe, do or say. My point is that it is shortsighted to write off a movie, TV show or sports event because someone involved might not be in lockstep with us on an issue or a range of them.

All that polarization has trickled down to the Norms and Normas — everyday Americans — some of whom have cut off friends and families over politics. I mentioned that phenomenon in this space in recent weeks.

Why do we care how celebrities vote? Why do we take it as a personal affront when Uncle Bill or Aunt Marge let it be known that they don’t share our political views?

Maybe I’m just too old, because I can remember a time when politicians worked across the aisle for the good of the city, county and country. I remember when those who voted those folks into office never talked about such things as if losing an election — and some share of power — was the end of life as we know it.

It’s not.

My goal for 2025 is to remember that as one administration leaves Washington and another takes office at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The same is true as changes come to the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus and here in Trumbull and Mahoning counties and in all the cities, township and villages all over the Mahoning Valley.

We don’t have to spend the next few years badgering and bullying each other over political affiliations and we don’t have to break up families and friendships over the way someone else votes.

I don’t know about you, but I’ll still rewatch “Breaking Bad” and any other Cranston vehicle because I love his work. The same goes for DeNiro. And while I enjoy much of Springsteen’s catalog, I’ll take Billy Joel over The Boss every day and twice on Sunday. Not everything is about politics.

Happy New Year!

Ed Puskas is editor of the Tribune Chronicle and The Vindicator. Reach him at 330-841-1786 or epuskas@tribtoday.com.

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