I am exceedingly active on social media, so much so that my son refers to me as a “Facebook addict”. Some days I spend hours at a time writing, perusing, posting, promoting, interacting, networking and connecting in that sometimes wild and wooly place in cyberspace. I have friends who have taken breaks or closed down their accounts since they find the energy draining and the negativity toxic. I can’t imagine stepping back since it has become a place where I can explore concepts and express opinions judiciously. I know what landmines to avoid completely, which I can tiptoe around, lest I set them off. Admittedly, there are times when I have crossed the boundary I had set for myself, just to stretch comfort zones and see what responses I receive. Poking the bear, as it were, has become a wee bit entertaining.
Even as I do that, I have firm rules for myself.
#1 is no name calling or disparaging someone’s appearance. Even though I have attended rallies, vigils, and marches at which people carry clever signs that attack #45’s looks or use appellations that are not appealing, I won’t lower myself to do what he and his administration do when disagreeing with someone whose views are at odds with theirs. That includes those who post on social media. They often use the terms ‘snowflake’ and ‘Libtard’ to describe people like me.
#2 is that I won’t say that everyone who supports him or his policies is a hatemonger. They have their own reasons for doing so, however, in the simple act of standing by him, they are giving tacit approval for what he stands for. My take on it is that they either voted with their conscience or cast it aside in a form of cognitive dissonance.
Sometimes, and blessedly rarely, I see people proudly sporting MAGA hats or t-shirts, including a man at my gym. When I was there earlier this week, he was indeed wearing the telltale red cap (which to me is equivalent to flying a Confederate flag from the back of a truck hiding beneath a white hood or a swastika tattoo imprinted on ones’ body and was also decked out in a t-shirt with #45’s name emblazoned on it. His car has T-bumper stickers pasted on it and a cut out of his face attached to the passenger seat headrest. The first time I saw it a few months ago, my mind told me it was a scowling old man sitting in the seat. I rolled my eyes and shook my head at ‘him’ as I walked by on my way in for my workout. On the way out, I laughed as I realized what I was really seeing. The next time I encountered the driver, I wagged my finger at him, he returned the gesture (at least it was the index finger) and then I blew him a kiss. I wonder what I would do if I had the opportunity to sit down with him and get an idea of what appeals to him about this man whose attitudes and actions jeopardize the safety and security of the world. Would he be convinced no matter what I might say, that he is correct in maintaining that loyalty? Not sure I would feel safe speaking with him 1:1. If I see his car, he is likely to see mine. Easy to spot with the ‘hippie bumper stickers’ at which he would likely roll his eyes and shake his head since they are about peace and social justice and mark me as a left of center, crunchy granola tree (and people) hugger.
Earlier today, I commented on a thread that began with an article about a high school student wanting to wear a MAGA hat on campus. She felt it was her right to express her beliefs. The school disagreed. As I was reading and before I commented, people were already indicating that if they didn’t side with her, because they were Liberal, they were expressing hatred toward the president. My response was that this Liberal doesn’t espouse hatred toward anyone. I can rationally describe behaviors and the words he uses to disparage, demean and defeat. I refuse to lower myself to that position by closing down my heart.
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