Kingsport Spirit

It feels like we’re trapped in a never-ending two-year doom-scroll cycle. Members of whichever party loses spend the next two years relentlessly complaining on social media—until midterms roll around, and they get the chance to swap roles again. It’s exhausting.

One side will say, “I’m not being political, but…”—and then launch into something blatantly political. Yes, yes you are. Both sides seem fueled by contempt for the other, wrapped in a thin veil of patriotism from their own perspective. And as if that weren’t enough, some drag religion into it, questioning the other’s faith.

Neither side seems capable of understanding how the other reaches its conclusions. Meanwhile, an entire industry profits from keeping us locked in this cycle, feeding the outrage and ensuring the doom-scroll never ends.

I’m constantly baffled by how deeply politics divides us and how these relentless drip campaigns take a toll on the mental health of so many friends—on both sides. The cycle is almost predictable: “I’m quitting social media,” followed by “I told you so,” then virtue signaling and dire warnings about the future. We keep each other in a constant state of turmoil.

But what if, instead of posting and sharing, we channeled that energy into serving our communities? Imagine the impact if all that passion and frustration were redirected into something meaningful—mentoring students, feeding the hungry, supporting local businesses, or volunteering for a cause. There are so many more productive, meaningful ways to make a difference than fueling an endless loop of outrage.

The truth is, we’re not going to change anyone’s mind with a Facebook post or a cleverly worded tweet. But we can change our communities with action. Maybe it’s time we step away from the screen and start making a real difference where it matters most.

Love your city. Serve your community. Nurture your faith. And extend a little grace to others with perspectives different from your own.