"When you think of the typical consumer of a conspiracy theory, you think of someone who’s older, maybe from a rural area, maybe a white man. You don’t think of Chinese Americans scrolling through WeChat." - Jenny Liu, Mis/Disinformation Policy Manager, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (NBC News)

My dad voted for Trump in 2016. For years, this fact has left an uncomfortable strain in our relationship. As a second generation Chinese American, I’ve found it difficult to understand, let alone empathize, how my immigrant parents could vote for him. In 2020, when I found myself stuck at home, however, my dad and I bonded over our frustration with how poorly the Trump administration handled the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. We both voted for Biden. I thought that the spell was finally over – my father could finally see the veil behind Trump’s boorish nature and false promises towards the American public. 

And yet, four years later, my dad has no plans to vote for either candidate. On numerous occasions, I’ve heard him say, "Biden is worse than Trump."

I was inspired to write this article after recently having a brief but frustrating conversation about Kamala Harris, and in particular, her role as District Attorney in San Francisco. I know I’m not the only child of immigrant parents who’s struggling to understand how their family could continue to support Trump, especially with how he stoked and encouraged anti-Asian racism from Covid-19 in 2020. 

Misinformation is nothing new; it has a long legacy in human history. Being a witness to misinformation on both a macro and micro scale has given me a palpable understanding as to the importance of being critical of the media and news that I consume. It’s hard to admit when we’re wrong, especially about political issues that we feel passionately about. But if we can acknowledge that anyone can become a victim of misinformation, this can be a step towards better empathizing with people when we find ourselves in conversations grounded in factual information. It’s not about you VS me — rather, it’s about you and me VS misinformation. 

Trump’s presidency has created an environment where individuals felt emboldened to engage in bullying behavior, contributing to increased derision, polarization, and a political and media landscape significantly driven by sensationalism and outrage. It has left a lasting impact on the American public long after his presidential term, and we can expect no difference from him this time around. And many Americans are tired of it. 

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz seek to usher in a new political era that is instead characterized by unity and constructive dialogue, and focused on issues that people actually care about. During an interview with Ezra Klein, Tim Walz spoke about why he’s been referring to Trump’s messaging as ‘weird’: “Who’s asking to ban birth control? Who’s asking to ban these books? Who’s asking to take veterans’ benefits away?” He demonstrated how Trump’s agenda, at its core, isn’t really serving the American public in a productive way. Instead, he directs our attention to the real issues at hand, and continues with: “Kamala Harris is talking about making sure that you have expanded health care, making sure there’s day care available, making sure that it’s easier to get free school lunches.” The more we can drive people’s attention to what really matters, the less power will disinformation hold over the narrative, allowing for a more informed citizen that will seek genuine solutions over divisive rhetoric.

When friends or family members share misinformation, it can be challenging to know how to respond without creating conflict. Here’s a guide to help you handle these situations calmly and effectively:

• Confirm: Verify the information before engaging. Use fact-checking websites or reliable news sources.
• Ask Questions (instead of making accusations): It’s tempting to immediately correct or accuse someone of information that seems faulty. However, this can lead to both parties in the conversation becoming emotionally flooded, making it even more difficult to engage in a productive conversation. Instead, try to engage in dialogue by asking open-ended questions, such as “Where did you hear this information?” or “I’ve not heard that before. Can you share your source with me?” 
• Respond with Empathy: Many people share misinformation without realizing it. Before jumping into a fact-checking mission, try to understand why they believe the information in the first place. By addressing their concerns and showing empathy, you can create space for a more productive conversation. 
• Educate: If people are open to hearing other opinions, you can offer to share with them credible sources and/or fact-checking tools that can help them verify information in the future. 

Below we’ve listed some tools you can use to ensure the information you share is credible: 

• AllSides (www.allsides.com) or Ground News (ground.news): These websites provide media bias ratings and expose how different outlets report the same stories from different perspectives. It helps users see where coverage may be skewed and encourages seeking information from diverse sources.
• RAND's "Truth Decay" Project (www.rand.org): RAND has a research project dedicated to "Truth Decay," which is the diminishing role of facts in public life. Their tools help users fight disinformation by providing fact-checking resources and promoting the importance of media literacy.
• Ad Fontes Media Bias Chart (www.adfontesmedia.com): This interactive chart rates news outlets on their level of bias and accuracy. It helps people identify whether they’re consuming information from highly partisan or credible, fact-based sources.
• Fact-Checking Websites: Websites like FactCheck.org, Snopes, and PolitiFact are great tools for verifying the accuracy of information. Encourage checking claims before sharing them with others.
• Fact-Checking Websites: Use platforms like PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and Snopes to verify claims before sharing them.
• Media Bias Charts: Ground.news is a website that highlights bias and credibility for each source. Tools like AllSides and Ad Fontes Media provide insights into the bias of different news sources, helping users identify credible information.

Every conversation is a chance to confront disinformation, addressing one claim at a time. Remind your friends and family that changing their minds is okay and encourage them to gather information from diverse, unbiased sources for a broader perspective.

That being said, tackling disinformation can be emotionally taxing, and it's essential to remember that this effort doesn't rest solely on your shoulders. I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that my father likely won’t change his mind about voting during this election. 

Not every battle can be won. And not every battle needs to be fought. 

Instead, I channel my energy and passion into volunteering with Democrats Abroad. I text friends and remind them to vote. I phone bank and hope that every text and voice message that’s sent through can help the campaign. I do what I can, even if that means knowing a family member of mine won’t be voting.

Author: Member of the Democrats Abroad Global AAPI Caucus