Something I’ve experienced traveling around the state is that there is a palpable fear of even letting your friends know you are a Democrat, or even in line with what Democratic politicians are doing. There’s vandalism that takes place here, and people are scared of that. Having your yard sign stolen or your flag taken down is one thing, but having your car keyed or trash left in your yard, that’s another. I know people who have been harassed after they are outed as a Democrat, and then people give them trouble. People hear those stories. They’re not fake. They’re not made up. I’ve seen and heard some really ugly language.
I’m not a Dem (I’m a Leftists), but this pretty much sums it up. The Right plays dirty. They aren’t bound by any sense of decency. I’d say the only way we can beat them is to respond with our own violence (which I, personally, detest). I don’t see us beating them because they don’t believe in rules of engagement. Sorry to be so demoralizing in this post.
When it is impolite to discuss politics, the only voices in the conversation will be impolite.
We need to create an environment where it is OK to ask your neighbor what they think of the latest news, and have it be OK to disagree. That starts by having the conversations.
That’s why conservatives have become more violent over time. They know they are outnumbered, and they know their opinions are irrational. They cannot stand up to scrutiny, so they create an atmosphere of fear.
Don’t let them win. Ask the questions, and stand your ground.
There is no such thing as “creating an environment”. That is milquetoast loser liberal talk.
The “impolite” voices are louder because people cower and allow it. There is no other reason.
Unruly children are punished; not rewarded or passively tolerated.
The only reasonable response is greater violence and louder voices. There is no example anywhere in history of fascism going away because you were nice to them. Standing ypur ground is not enough.
There have been studies that show otherwise. It’s been a very long time since I read about them, but was able to find this on a quick search: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2019/02/why-nonviolent-resistance-beats-violent-force-in-effecting-social-political-change/
Our actions create the environment. No such thing?
That’s creating an environment where impolite voices are louder.
That’s creating an environment.
That’s creating an environment. You know, for someone so angry, you sure do have a lot of milquetoast loser liberal suggestions.
Also, I’m not suggesting anyone be nice. Being nice is what has created the environment we have.
But I will argue with you that standing your ground is not enough. There are examples of nonviolent rebellion against fascism. I’m not even advocating nonviolence in this case, I just know it can work.
No, I’m saying that we need to reject the idea that it’s not safe to call bullshit. We need to speak out against disinformation and fascism, even if it means some narrow-minded neighbors and family members might get unreasonably angry.
Dude, if someone tells me refugees deserve to drown in the Rio Grande, that climate change is a hoax, that the only good gay is a dead gay, or that Trump needs to be reelected so he can be a “day one dictator” and rain punishment upon his enemies, I am not going to be fucking OK with that.
Ok, and my point is that the person saying that will likely have the same violent attitude with anyone who disagrees with them. Challenge their beliefs, tell them you think they’re out of line, and that if necessary you’ll rise up against the fascism they long for. Right now, it’s not OK to disagree with them for fear of violence. We need to let them know that we are not afraid, and that they are wrong.
Thank you for the clarification. I thought you were making a “let’s all learn to civilly agree to disagree” argument, which is just capitulating to extremism by normalizing it.
No worries, I completely understand how I came off that way. My bad, but that wasn’t at all what I was trying to say.
Excellent point. I was just thinking to myself “why has politics been taboo to talk about in person for so long in the US?” It certainly doesn’t benefit the voting public. And it does seem to make it easier to sow discord and divide us.
When you talk about these things in person it turns out people often have ideas that aren’t simply clones or this side or the other side.
Also when you talk face to face, being a total dick like some are online carries more social risk (and, let’s be honest, a small physical risk also).
If you want to reach someone, the best way to do it is to be prepared to view things the way they do. If you can’t set aside your prejudice assumptions on the why/how they have come to their viewpoints and really empathize with them, you’re not likely to get far.