Straying a little bit away from my normal articles, I wanted to highlight a reliable, neutral, well-rounded news platform. “The Flip Side” is a website whose goal is to “help bridge the gap between liberals and conservatives,” which they do by being, “a one-stop shop for smart, concise summaries of political analysis from both conservative and liberal media.” The Flip Side does this by being an unbiased hub of information. 

Here is how The Flip Side works: every weekday, they publish one issue about one topic. For example, on May 25th, 2023, their issue was titled “Ron DeSantis.” Now, most/every other article you read about Ron Desantis will lean drastically to one political side or the other, but The Flip Side doesn’t take a stance. They don’t even write any new information on the topic! Instead, they pull a blurb about the subject from a neutral news source, and then arrange the rest of their issues into two columns, one titled “From the Left” and the other “From the Right.” They take “the best points from both sides,” presenting excerpts from various left-leaning and right-leaning articles. 

The Flip Side is committed to staying non-partisan, which is seen in the layout of its site. Every day, the “From the Right” and “From the Left” columns switch sides. This rhetorical choice ensures that they are not favoring one side, not presenting it first, but instead are giving both sides an equal opportunity to be considered. 

This site is so important in today’s world. We are in the age of misinformation and, more importantly, are all stuck in our echo chambers. Most of us rely on news sources that align with our political beliefs, resulting in a lack of exposure to alternative perspectives. It is important to note that I am not speaking about this as if I am above it; I get most of my news from CNN, which is a left-leaning platform. And while I feel very strongly about my political views, I know it is necessary to break free from my own echo chamber. When I read The Flip Side, I know I will not necessarily agree with the other side’s views, and oftentimes may find them frustrating. Nevertheless, I recognize that it is crucial to comprehend the reasoning behind opposing viewpoints. Our country is deeply polarized right now, and this divide only widens when we fail to understand each other. We do not need to agree with each other, but we can realize that everyone is a product of their environment, and their beliefs are deeply rooted in their upbringing. We cannot change how the other half of the world thinks; rather, we must strive to understand them.

No subscription is required for The Flip Side; its content is free and accessible to all. The Flip Side informs its audience about current events while also providing a look into the diverse perspectives of people in our country. By visiting The Flip Side, you can broaden your understanding and appreciation of the beliefs that shape our society.