Read on Twitter
The Left (the side of the political horseshoe / möbius strip I identify with) has taken residence in Gloatsville, for obvious reasons. Unsurprisingly, what's being said is serving only to ratify the Right's criticisms. Allow me to get onto my high horse for a quick thread...
I see content comparing Trump and anyone who supports him to a cult, and worse insinuations, too. We are quick to reduce 50% of the population of the USA (maybe the world) to blithering idiocy.
"How could anyone sensible support such a man, given all that he has said and done?"
"How could anyone sensible support such a man, given all that he has said and done?"
But that's not the case. We're talking about, on the balance of it, decent, loving, caring, well to do people, blinded by fear and uncertainty, and making decisions governed by same.
We'll overlook pretty much any facts - especially about ourselves - to avoid pain and shame.
We'll overlook pretty much any facts - especially about ourselves - to avoid pain and shame.
95% of white South Africans ignored or even embraced Apartheid, not because they were evil or stupid, but because they were afraid, and, well, benefiting from the situation. Looking back, it's hard to imagine how that was possible. We like to think we'd have done differently.
Fear + comfort aren't paradoxical. They are the most potent of controlling forces. Why are so many households caught in the cycle of emotional or physical abuse? Same concoction.
If anything is to be learned from the brief and unceremonious reign of this lobotomised shitlark of a president, it's that calling people out, and stoking fear, and driving people into the darkest corners of their core beliefs, just doesn't work. In any context.
*cue uplifting music*
Now is the time to call people in. To admit where we were wrong and seek to learn and improve. Character is tested in the extremes when you WIN, or when you have power over others. Basically any time you have the upper hand. Don't be bitter. Be better.
Now is the time to call people in. To admit where we were wrong and seek to learn and improve. Character is tested in the extremes when you WIN, or when you have power over others. Basically any time you have the upper hand. Don't be bitter. Be better.
So I have a challenge for you. That person or those persons you vehemently disagree with, or are outraged by on this here app - invite them for (a socially distanced) coffee. They'll be keen cos they don't really believe in COVID anyways (lol, I joke).
Or don't. Whatever.
We're either going to figure out how to break this bizarrely backwards downward spiral of abusive, reductionist mud-slinging, or we're not. I'd prefer that my kids grow up in a country and world where we can converse and debate like adults.
We're either going to figure out how to break this bizarrely backwards downward spiral of abusive, reductionist mud-slinging, or we're not. I'd prefer that my kids grow up in a country and world where we can converse and debate like adults.
*dismounts*
