This week, a CNN commentator and guest openly discussed and giggled about what they purported to be the stupidity of Trump voters. In illustrating the point, the guest affected a slow southern drawl to illustrate this stupidity. Difficult to believe? It shouldn’t be. For over three years, Republican voters and Trump supporters have had and continue to endure the lies, hysterical conspiracy theories, threats, violence, insults and impertinent remarks of family, friends, neighbors, celebrities, talking heads, newscasters, and style and opinion makers contrived to create an atmosphere of fear and shame to stifle conservative political speech. It’s time for this nonsense to come to an end and the only way that’s going to happen is for us to confront it. It’s time to call it out. It’s time to demand that our cohorts establish and maintain appropriate boundaries. It’s time for us to tell them how destructive their behavior is. You see, the behavior continues, because it is unchecked. It’s time for that to change. Resolve that your family, friends and neighbors are no longer entitled to trespass on your good will.
It’s simple. Repeat after me: “I disagree.” “That’s insulting.” “That’s nonsense.” It need be no more complicated than that. You don’t need to engage any further. Express your disagreement. Defend your personal boundary. Walk away. Don’t belabor the point. You don’t have the power to change their minds. You don't have the power to change their hearts. Stop trying. It will be enough for them to deal with your asserting the boundary. It’s a process. This is the first step.
Let’s all take the first step, together.