To Friend or Unfriend? Managing Political Tensions in Relationships

Ah inita uy! Aside from the rising heat index under the sun, the same heat can be found online.

With heated discussions and arguments on social media, you may find yourself filled with anger–hotheaded in every sense of the word.

The current political climate has become more polarizing than ever, often leading to tension in friendships. Supporting different causes and politicians can create divides that challenge the bonds between friends.

Still, how do you deal with different opinions and stances? To friend or unfriend on Facebook… that is the question.

Patronage Politics and Political Divide

Cebu is a hotbed for different political views ranging from right-wing supporters to leftists. Aside from these ideologies, there are also Cebuanos who are simply fond of politicians.

This is commonly found in patronage politics, where voters support candidates based on material benefits and patronage.

Rooted in the complex networks of political families, clientelistic relationships, and political machinery, this phenomenon often leads to unconditional support for candidates-turned-politicians who citizens believe will serve them.

However, this may lead to an intense political divide among Cebuanos. Why, you may ask? Because of varying stances on the policies and governance of politicians, a polarizing effect among the citizens emerges.

This has become even more evident with the recent updates in the political realm. In fact, national politics and international relations directly affect Cebuanos regardless of who they support or what they advocate for.

From Facebook Friends to Friendship Over?

With the intensification of the political divide among Cebuanos, some may see this seeping into their friendships. One may say that you are who you surround yourself with, so some differences are bound to end up in fights or worse… friendship over.

The topic of politics is a serious one, especially in dealing with policy-making and human rights, so it’s important to take things into consideration in applying this to friendships.

If you ever find your friend whose political views you don’t necessarily align with, ask yourself: is my friend worth struggling with? More so, is your political views worth struggling for?

If yes, then you might as well engage in discussion–not trolling nor bashing–to learn where each side is coming from. Who knows? You might find yourself understanding their stances without compromising your own.

After engaging in a single discussion, misunderstandings may still arise because it is hard for people to question their own beliefs and unlearn their stances. So, what you need to do is to remain tireless and immerse yourself in ceaseless persuasion.

In doing so, you might be able to support your friends in the right direction and tighten the bond that you two share. 

Politics, after all, is not only a matter of governance–it affects personal lives too!

Tireless and Ceaseless in Struggling and Uniting

At the end of the day, your friendship is only a microcosm of a larger system out there. Whatever tension you might share, it only reflects the larger problem in Cebu and the Philippines. 

Navigating friendships amidst political differences can be challenging, yet it is essential for fostering understanding and unity. 

Remember that the bonds you share with friends reflect broader societal issues, so continue to struggle and unite.

So, before you decide to click “unfriend,” take a moment to consider the value of those connections and the potential for growth.