Lately, I’ve noticed tensions rising in our community over the results of the U.S. election and who voted for whom. This got me thinking about the assumptions we often make about each other’s choices.
By Derek Moore, [email protected], Contributing Writer
As a Liberian, I’ve often noticed how we make assumptions about each other based on shared identity. It’s fascinating, even ironic, how many of us are genuinely surprised — even disappointed — when Liberians/Black people don’t think or vote as one, especially on divisive figures like Donald Trump. This reaction often comes from the idea that our race alone should shape our political, social, or moral views, binding us to the same perspective simply because of the color of our skin.
In our Liberian culture, we sometimes view those who disagree with us as adversaries. Instead of seeing different perspectives as opportunities to learn, we tend to shun or feel offended by them. But if we want to foster true understanding, it’s essential to move beyond seeing disagreement as a threat. Embracing differing views can strengthen our community by allowing us to learn from one another.
As Liberians, we’ve all felt the sting of being stereotyped because of our skin color. But when we look at ourselves, we see that we’re not immune to doing the same thing. Just as we’re shocked that some Latinos might support Trump despite his harsh words on immigration, we assume that Black people everywhere would naturally vote alike. We expect unity to mean we all think the same. But then, when others stereotype us, we feel upset that they don’t see our individuality.
This isn’t unique to one group. Just as some Latinos prioritize issues other than immigration, Black people have different reasons for their choices — economic, social, or personal — that may not fit the expected narrative. Even within our own communities, we see divisions between those striving to improve their situations and those in tough circumstances. Many Liberians in the U.S. work hard to separate themselves from struggling neighborhoods to avoid poverty-related stereotypes. But when we see these same differences reflected in our political choices, we’re left unsettled.
On the other hand, as Liberians, we often call out racism and exclusion while perhaps ignoring our own constitution’s restrictions against non-Black citizenship. We say it’s to protect against exploitation, yet we should also ask if such policies stop us from extending the same acceptance we ask of others.
Maybe it’s time we move past the idea that skin color should define our beliefs, politics, or values. Let’s embrace our complexity and experiences without expecting everyone to agree. Just as we want the freedom to live without stereotypes, we should respect our right to think differently — even when those differences surprise us.
In the end, we must resist letting race alone shape our assumptions about each other’s choices. Just as we would expect a security guard in a high-end store to treat us without bias, not following us based on assumptions about our intentions, we too should reject the idea that our skin color alone dictates our beliefs or our votes. When we embrace our individuality and respect each other’s unique experiences, we move beyond stereotypes and create space for genuine understanding and solidarity within our community.
“Not all birds sing the same song, even if they share the same feathers.”
Just my 2 cents.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this op-ed are solely those of the writer and do not reflect the position of FrontPage Africa.
