We live in a divided world. That is one of the few things a majority can agree on. Nationwide protests make an already tense political climate even more volatile; discontentment and uneasiness become ingrained in the collective American spirit.

In these tense times, as history has told us, we search desperately for a scapegoat, something specific to pin and target as the root of all of the current troubles we may face. Finding a representative to blame can provide solace to the majority within times of chaos, and dim the light of guilt on the ones truly responsible.

In the past, religious and ethnic minorities have been the shoulders on which others have placed years of guilt and wrongdoing upon, no matter the role the minority may have taken in the actual act that they are charged with.

Today, in our nation, we lack a specific group for which we can rally around in common hatred, to blame for all of the issues of today’s world. Living in a society that lacks a scapegoat sounds like a utopia, an opportunity for us to look within and assess dilemmas efficiently and peacefully.

In actuality, we have exchanged passing the blame upon a specific group for something much broader: each other.

America prides itself on its diversity in culture and thinking, but it admittedly has never been a nation of calm negotiation, especially with a civil war staining its past.

In my opinion, throughout all of America’s hardships, intertwined amongst the disagreement was a deep-rooted sense of respect for the fellow American. I believe that the feeling between fellow citizens has faded from basic respect to utter disgust due to the labeling, senseless name-calling and divisions as a result of political parties.

The growing separation among political parties and social classes in modern times only deepens the cracks in the already crumbling foundation that unifies Americans. In a time of uncertainty and fear caused by terrorism, citizens seem to be distracted by childishly pointing their fingers at the other political party rather than binding together and tackling the problem from its root.

George Washington predicted the toxicity of political parties, and warned against its growth during his farewell address. Washington suggested that the political parties will be used to “subvert the power of the people,” and in time his prediction has been proven to be true.

Any legislative progress in government is dramatically slowed or completely halted by officials being deadlocked, too stubborn to compromise, and too narrow-minded to even consider stepping out of their party lines for the greater good.

Outside of Capitol Hill, the blatant disgust for an opposing party member has spread like an epidemic through communities, with neither party being able to fathom having a shred of respect for an opposing party member.

Labeling a person by a political party and treating them accordingly provides a stark and incomplete view, and the commonality of that practice has completely dissolved comradery among Americans.

Each side has become so polarized that neither are able to see the humanity within each other anymore. This problem has gone beyond passing legislation. It has gone into tearing apart the common respect between Americans.

The discrimination against those who have opposing political views is using a myopic view on a complex problem that will only continue to foster the deadlock our country is in.

The only way to make progress as a nation is to do what we were founded on, fight for liberty and listen to other opinions on how best to do so, no matter whether they happen to wear a red or blue tie.