Hey there. I wrote a Twitter thread about the consequences of supporting Trump. I’m sharing it here because I know many of you don’t use Twitter.
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The other day I saw a tweet where a person described that when they find out someone they know personally supports Trump, they lose all respect for them instantly. I liked the tweet and retweeted it, but stopped short of sharing it on Instagram.
Why?
I suppose it’s because, like the author of the tweet, I also know Trump supporters in real life. They already know I think Trump is gross, and they know that I frequently criticize Trump supporters as a group. But I’ve hesitated to tell them directly that I’ve lost respect for them individually.
But I woke up this morning, read reports of the final night of the Republican National Convention — an event where hundreds of federal employees broke many laws — grew deeply angry, and now my hesitation is gone.
My instagram content is different than my Twitter content. On Twitter, I mostly retweet people. On Instagram, I share more personal stuff — like renovations, vacations, and updates about my family. I also highlight tweets and political opinions on Instagram, but it’s maybe 20% of my content there.
A frequent DM (direct message) I receive on Instagram is some version of this: “I come here for design and to see your life in France. Stop posting political stuff.”
These DMs are, without exception, from Trump supporters, or people who claim to be independent, but will definitely vote for Trump and are ashamed to admit it.
My response: I do not create content for you.
It makes me sick to my stomach that you, a Trump supporter, ever read or watch or listen to anything I’ve created. This is true even if I know you in real life.
I see what you are trying to do. You want me to treat you like a decent human being. But you are not behaving like a decent human being.
A decent person doesn’t align themself with people who are proudly racist and who insist America doesn’t have a racism problem.
A decent person doesn’t align themself with people who believe viral right-wing stories on Facebook over trained journalists, who think Q is real, who think the pandemic is fake, who think the earth is flat.
A decent person doesn’t align themself with people who weep and faint over celebrity-child-trafficking-rings that don’t exist, but support the ICE family separations at the border that actually lead to child trafficking.
A decent person knows what it feels like to do a job and not get paid, and recognizes that Trump is first and foremost a con-man, liar, and thief.
A decent person knows and acknowledges that Trump only looks out for himself.
A decent person knows Trump raped a 13-year-old, has read her description of the rape, has read all the other accounts of Trump sexually assaulting girls and women, and never forgets Trump is a rapist who has never had to face consequences for his assaults.
I see you. Especially my fellow white women. You want to read what interesting people are reading, you want to see good movies, you want to know what the designers and artists are creating.
But you don’t want anyone to know you are voting for Trump.
You don’t like when people you follow talk politics. You say it’s because you want to “focus on the positive.” But really, it’s because it reminds you of your Trump shame.
You want to vote for Trump and experience no negative consequences.
But that’s not an option.
One of the consequences of your actions? I do not respect you.
How could I?
How could I respect someone who hears about a Black man being shot by police 7 times in his back, while his kids watch, and their first thought is: “Well, we don’t know the whole story.”
Another consequence of your actions? I have a deep desire to withhold my community and my creations from you.
Instagram has data that could tell me exactly which of you support Trump. I wish they would give me that data. I would block every single one of you.
My Instagram followers request access to my life daily. You’re voting for Trump and you want to know the source for my daughter’s dress? My answer is: No. You want to know the paint color we chose for the attic renovation? No. You want to participate in a parenting discussion on Design Mom? No.
I want to shun you from my community.
If gatherings were safely happening, I want you to be shunned from all events hosted by decent people. No wedding invitations. No conference tickets. No backyard barbecues.
I want decent event hosts to send you a card, explaining you are not invited because you are a Trump supporter.
I wish stores like Ikea and Target wouldn’t let you buy their products.
I wish your internet provider (who for sure knows you’ll be voting for Trump), would cut you off as a customer.
I want to see you shunned by every person and organization that doesn’t support Trump. No more access to their books, movies, products, music, events, artists & influencers — till you are left with nothing but Smashmouth concerts, and Ben Shapiro talking about his sex life.
Some of you will tell me you have no choice; that you’re a single issue voter and that your single issue is abortion, so you can only vote for an anti-abortion candidate.
And I will respond: The Republicans are making a fool of you.
We all know Republicans talk big about being anti-abortion but their policies don’t reduce abortions. Republican policies increase things like teen pregnancy, which also increases abortions.
The fact is: abortion numbers go down under the policies of Democrats.
If you want to reduce abortion, the most effective, proven way to do so is to vote for Democrats. If the most important issue to you is reducing abortions, then the only choice you have is voting for Democrats up and down the ballot.
Some of you will tell me you support Trump because of the stock market.
Well, that is certainly something a selfish a**hole would do.
A whopping 90% of Americans have no stake in the stock market. I’m one of them.
If you like the current trajectory of our economy; if you want existing and newly created wealth to continue to be concentrated in the top 10%; if you don’t think employers should have to provide a living wage; if you somehow think hoarding a billion dollars is ethical; if you don’t want to tax the rich; then I don’t make content for you.
I create content and community for decent people. Do we agree on everything? No. We may debate the best way to educate kids. Or disagree on baby names, favorite books, or suburban vs. urban vs, country living. But I will not make space for you to debate the merits of white supremacy.
You want respect, but your behavior and beliefs are not worthy of respect.
You don’t want to be shamed or mocked for supporting Trump, but you align yourself with people who want to “make liberal snowflakes cry” and who mock anyone who wears a pandemic mask.
Do you think I care about losing you as a follower? I do not. Not one bit. I will actively block you on Instagram if I know you’re a Trump supporter. You unfollowing me doesn’t hurt me in any way. I literally — in the true sense of the word — won’t notice you are gone.
You can’t support Trump and also be a decent human being. You can’t support Trump and earn my respect.
Want to be a decent person? Don’t want to worry about being shunned? You’re in luck! The solution is easy and free:
Stop being a Trump supporter. Don’t vote for Trump.
That’s it. That’s the thread. How about you? Can you relate? Or do find that you are still able to respect the Trump supporters you know?
I’m sincerely curious how a person can function when they’re this consumed with loathing. Life is too short to absorb and disseminate this much hostility Gabby. Don’t stoop to their level.
You must be leaving in a bubble! It is so sad that you’re not considering the dignity of others worthy of a fight. I’m so glad some people were brave enough to fight for the freedom of my grandparents, who were too weak to fight for themselves in 1944, some of these brave men even lose their life. And they came from the US! Pieces of my land bear the names of northamerican states in honour of these soldiers who believed that sometimes, it is worth fighting, it is worth feeling rage and hostility and yes, life was too short for them but we remember them, their life was well lived.
Katie, it’s interesting that you found a consuming amount of loathing in the post, when the vast majority of those who read it find relief.
I didn’t feel any loathing while I wrote it, just anger and frustration. Perhaps you’re projecting.
Good Morning Dear Gabby,
I have been feeling so alone in my anger and disgust for all things having to do with the current resident of the White House, his family, and his administration. Your clear thread lays it all out and is helping me to put words to what I know is right – and wrong. I live in an area with many vocal supporters of Trump and his policies even though we are surrounded by poverty and the separation and deportation of families. So many just refuse to see and acknowledge the horrors of what is going on. I now do not talk to people I thought were friends because I can’t take their feeling free to pontificate but will not let me have a chance to question them and show what is really happening – what I believe is all fake news to them. We are leaving a church because they don’t speak truth to evil. Thankfully, my family is all on the same page and we are working together to bring the truth to light.
Keep being brave and strong. Your words matter.
I am married to a conservative who did not vote for Trump in 16, yet gave his vote away to 3rd party candidate, and helped make it happen. Because he believed Hilary too ‘EVIL’.
My best friend from college is a Latina immigrant who is child-free by choice and independently wealthy via inheritance from Latino grandparent. When last employed, many years ago, she worked in a state prison and as a food stamp eligibility case mgr. She had front-row seats at Trump rallies in ’16 and thinks he is the greatest thing ever. She uses none of her wealth to assist society’s ills. For reasons I cannot always articulate, we remain in each other’s lives. (Seeing what I’ve written, tho…time to make a decision.)
Another close friend, whose parenting, fortitude, generosity, and scientific profession I respect greatly, quietly voted for Trump and I expect will do so again.
I have struggled with the ‘grey area’ in each of these relationships relative to my own social and political boundaries. How to love someone yet fundamentally despise their foundational viewpoint? How much energy to spend seeking or hoping for common ground? How to measure what you admire and cherish against what makes you actually ill?
To all those who have written here, exampling firmer points of view than mine (thus far) thank you for the impetus to re-examine.
Hi Laura, Responding to your description of the friend who is one of the ‘quiet’ Trump supporters. This is the kind of personal choice I don’t understand at all – from someone you describe as strong, generous, and educated. Have you ever asked your friend directly WHY someone who could easily make a better choice has chosen instead to support Trump? Can your friend account for her support of such a malignant, divisive figure in any way that might make sense? These are the Trump voters who upset and, to be honest, scare me the most.
Hi Sue, I completely understand! That’s why the conundrum brings me such angst–a person I otherwise adore having this ‘shadow’ self that is beyond my comprehension. Yes, we have broached the topic to a moderate degree, and as she is religious (where I am not), the matter for her comes down to abortion. There is no middle ground for her–if a candidate is pro-, she will not vote for them.
Interestingly, the same voting issue governs the other friend I outline.
Thank you, Laura. That’s an example that Gabby addressed in this thread, the single-issue voter for whom nothing else matters. Those arguments might resonate in some way with your friends; if not, perhaps in the end their moral blindness is not something you will choose to accept in your life for the sake of your own self-respect.
I truly sympathize with your angst and wish you well in coming to some kind of peace with this.
That is the crux for everyone with thoughts on the matter, isn’t it: Self Respect. Thank you for pulling that into clear focus.
This couldn’t have been an easy post to write, post and have the comments open on.
Well said. Makes my heart happy to read it.
This election is not about Republican vs Democrat. It’s about evil vs not evil. It’s about kindness vs cruelty. It’s about love vs hate. You can be a republican but if you are a Trump supporter I have no respect for you. Zero. Because you have no respect for anyone.
I love you. And I could not agree more.
I have not and will not vote for our current president. I will not even say his name.
However, I have not and will not shun family members and loved ones who feel differently.
I wish you peace.
I love this post! You just found a new follower here. Thank you for sharing!
Amen, sister! Thank you for your saying what the rest of us have tried & failed to get across!
I always wondered why there isn’t a corollary to the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” It also takes a village to hold adults accountable for their bad behavior. This is true whether we are talking about racism, domestic violence, homo/transphobia, abelism, misogyny, or unwavering political support for an amoral “leader”. It is the responsibility of all decent people to not tolerate, not normalize, not make comfortable indecent, amoral behavior in other adults.
Like racism, it is not enough to not do it yourself. You must also openly, actively, publicly, and consistently counter it every single time you see or hear it. Every single time. It is often – probably always – super uncomfortable as many of us know. But it’s not nearly as uncomfortable as being shot repeatedly or having to teach your very young children to literally fear for their lives when they see law enforcement.
To not hold people accountable for their actions of this type is a dereliction of our duties as civilized humans who are part of social communities. To do so is fundamental to a functioning society.
beautifully said
[Comment removed because Fred needs to get educated on absentee voting.]
I hope Gabby deletes this ridiculous, projecting vitriol when she wakes up tomorrow morning. In the meantime, because a lie unchallenged can become the truth, let me just say this: Despite living abroad, Gabby is an American citizen who is eligible to vote for president. I would be shocked if she didn’t exercise that right as soon as possible to ensure that her vote has time to arrive stateside and be counted.
Many of us don’t live in America and yet still exercise our right to vote and consider it a duty, now more than ever.
Best post EVER!!
I am not a Trump supporter and will be clicking that subscribe button today!
Thank you, Gabby! Everyone that knows me, or follows me on social media knows exactly what I think about Trump. I haven’t yet crossed into the and this…is what I think of you phase.
In related news, anyone have a “Alert, you’ve fallen for a QAnon theory” GIF I can have for a quick share on certain loved ones posts???
that should be conspiracy rather than theory:)
Gosh Gabby. I am not American but this really hit me and made me realise how incredibly difficult the awful situation your president has put Americans in is. How absolutely devastating the news coming out of your country is. All those preventable deaths. His disgusting statements and actions.
I can’t even bear to watch the orange idiot – I have to change the channel if he comes on the news. It makes me so sad.
As always you are so eloquent in expressing yourself clearly. You are so brave for speaking out and holding firm. Wish I could borrow some of that strength. Much love.
Also re the awful comments above about ‘my vote, my choice, only mine etc’. I think of the adage [paraphrased]: the right to swing my fists stops at another mans face.
I think I love you.
First of all, thank you for taking the time to write back and once again giving me an opportunity to ask questions and to clarify.
Weirdly, after your last comment, I feel more confused about what you think than I was before. I will try to be brief and clear on where my confusion lies.
1. I am not sure how you define Trump supporter.
My read of your initial post was that you included swing voters and Republicans who don’t like Trump but are considering voting for him,
Thus my initial comment focused (albeit not clearly) on family and friends who don’t like Trump but plan to vote for him.
Your first reply to my comment suggested that you might not be including these people as Trump supporters but instead see them as people to engage in reasonable conversation with.
However, your last reply to me makes me wonder if one of the places we do not “get” each other is in how we use the term Trump supporter.
For clarity, I will say that I used that term to include those who do not like him and are uncomfortable with him but who are presently also incredibly uncomfortable with voting for Biden and so are planning on voting for Trump.
I will add that for these people, I do not think telling them that I have lost respect for them will help in persuading them to vote for Biden–I think it might actually incline them to entrench. Which leads me to my second question.
2) I am still not clear on the purpose of telling people we don’t respect them. Is it to protect? to punish? to distinguish? to persuade? And as the question above indicates, I am not clear on who you want to signify your lack of respect to.
3) Depending on your answer, a follow-up question might be if moving to such an exclusionary approach might play into the polarization strategy that Trump plays so successfully?
These questions point to places where I am unclear on what you think and would like to understand better.
And now a place for me to clarify my own position.
I am, in fact, heavily invested in this election. I actively seek out family and friends who I believe plan on voting for Trump and initiating conversations with the intent of persuading them to vote for Biden. I have found them generally respectful and am not inclined to withhold my respect from them.
But you are right, I also focus on the long run. There are many more elections to come and the examples you held up–Antebellum United States and Nazi Germany–weigh heavily on me. Thus the consequences of giving up seem manifested in the two awful wars that followed. My answer to your question regarding if love had an impact in changing minds in those time periods is that I don’t know but that I won’t give up on people–not for this election and not for the elections to come. Isn’t that one of the key lessons of the Civil Rights movements? And no, I don’t see reaching out to others who disagree with me as fun. I see it as an imperative and often painful process (and so time consuming) of creating a more democratic and equitable society. With that said, I am open to multitudes of ways of achieving this goal. It is one reason why I am here–to understand and to learn.
It looks like I replied in the wrong place–it would have been more helpful if I had put this right after your comment to me. Sorry. Hope it will can make some sense even though it is not placed where it should be.
Cynthia, you might find the follow up blog post I wrote helpful.
If someone equates Trump and Biden as “equally bad” I am not able to respect them.
If someone said Biden and Romney are equally bad, or Biden and McCain are equally bad, it would not diminish my respect for them.
I am now going to follow you..that was an awesome thread.
We live in Tennessee and it sickens me to see so many people who call themselves Christians support Trump. Every day I have to see huge Trump flags and stickers and it is beyond disgusting. It makes me wonder how did so many people turn into blind followers and stop thinking for themselves? Are there that many racists and humans lacking all decency in this world?
I want a president that I can allow my children to listen to speak. I cannot stand to allow my children listen to a man who speaks with such hate and as well limited coherency and then have to explain that yes, the country voted for him. It is not just sad, its disgusting.
My hope is that Trump voters will open their eyes.
I’ve read your blog for at least a decade. I remember when June was born, when you were in NYC, your 14 wedding anniversary post, countless gift lists… I am shaking with pride, tearing up and so grateful to have THIS POST to send off to family and friends. Thank you, Gabby. F**K YES!
100 percent!!!! I don’t follow you, I don’t know who you are, but I saw this online and I couldn’t agree more. You are RIGHT. FRICKEN. ON.
THANK YOU
Hello Gaby, I just read your thread and I’m shaking. You are awesome and so right, I am so done being polite. It reminds me of the “On se lève et on se casse” de Despentes.
NB : This is my gut response and I still need to go through your last post to nuance my view and the education I’ll get from this post (I saw something in the comment section about not letting BIPOC alone dealing with Trump supporters) but wow, it felt SO good.
Wow, that was incredibly cathartic to read!!!! Thank you so much! XO
I actually like the idea of shunning those who do not believe as I do, and depriving them of community. Can you imagine how peaceful that would be?? Like a sea breeze…
This is so cathartic to read. I’ve lost respect for so many extended family members who support such an immoral, destructive man. It’s mind-boggling to me that they cannot see him for the broken creature he is, who has no business running anything (did you know he had five bankruptcies? FIVE!?), let alone our country.
Thank you for being bold. Thank you for sharing this.
Great post. Very eloquent and appropriate. I wrote something along these same lines in my FB timeline about a week or so after the 2016 election. Caused some rankling in the extended family, and even caused some unfriending. But it rings as true to me now as it did then. Except the part about being willing to vote for a Republican. That’ll never happen again.
One of the few things that I feel I have actually learned wholly in my heart is this: Your family is not someone with whom you share DNA. It is someone with whom you share values. I have no problem disowning a family member (or friend) who violates my basic values and principles. And I feel the same way about the “family” that is my country.
My post from 2016:
All during the election I read and heard about people threatening to move if Trump won the election. I joked about it, and even played games where I said out loud where I might go. I had fleeting fantasies about working at some Tuscan winery and living “La Dolce Vita.”
But I was never really serious. I suppose because of relatively equal parts concern about the personal financial impact of relocating to another country and starting over at my age, the mental and emotional stress of trying to convince another sovereign nation that I would be a good and contributing member of their society, and a belief that there was no way an entire electorate would be so insanely, bat-shit crazy stupid enough to elect this sad, ridiculous and hateful porn star wannabe.
However now, when I am faced daily with news headlines of words similar to “Welcome to Trump’s America,” it curdles whatever is in my stomach, and makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up.
Of course, I could just not read the news. Many people I know have chosen to drop out, and not pay attention to news and social media for the time being. I contemplated their decision, but could not follow suit. Because it is peoples’ ignoring reality and filtering facts that has us in the precarious position we now find ourselves.
I keep thinking back to a quote from Samantha Bee regarding Trump’s Electoral win:
“What we did was the democratic equivalent of installing an above-ground pool. Even if we’re lucky and it doesn’t seep into our foundations, the neighbors will never look at us the same way again.”
I think about that quote a lot these days. It allows me to laugh at us, and it also allows me to make some sense of this mess. Because as the family contemplated getting the hideous blue inside out water bed in the back yard I voted for the fire pit and some Adirondack chairs. And even though I tried to reason with the rest of the family, I lost. But I used as much influence as I had, including my vote.
The one thing that brings me from a place of resignation, recharging and resolution to keep this country moving forward in spite of the election result to a place of seething anger is the infuriating headlines and claims from social media “friends” that claim voting for Trump doesn’t make one a racist, sexist or xenophobe. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“First they came for the…”
–Pastor Martin Niemöller
I will accept the fact that a large segment of Trump voters did not do so for racist, sexist, xenophobic reasons. They may have rationalized their decision based on economic reasons.
But here’s why that doesn’t matter: If you support someone who espouses racist, sexist and xenophobic views you are excusing it. And by doing so you are condoning it.
I know you want me to give you a hug or a handshake and tell you it’s okay, because you weren’t voting for the hate. But no. Hell no.
In the face of evil you are left with three choices. You either fight it, join it overtly, or become its instrument in your silence. Only the first choice is moral.
I was fortunate enough to be born white, straight and male to loving, dedicated parents who worked hard their whole lives to provide both financial and emotional support to their children. They also taught me fairness. I, by virtue of their life’s work have grown to be financially successful, and have taken full advantages of the privileges I was afforded. I did have to work hard for my current position in life. Very hard. But the foundation I received was so much better than what many people start with.
Women, people of color, LGBT people, and immigrants who want nothing other than opportunity have spent a large part of their finite lives fighting to get to the same place I started in mine. It’s my duty as an American and a human to offer them fairness and help, not kick them off the trail just as they’re pulling up next to me.
I have been a lifelong Republican up until now. I would have supported many of the original candidates of the Republican primary. I could have voted for a man of principle such as John Kasich and walked out of the voting booth with a full heart.
But I could never have voted for someone as damaged, narcissistic and evil as the Donald Trump I have known for the the last 40 years, and I cannot excuse anyone who embraced, accepted or ignored his vision of hate, exclusion and exploitation.
I don’t want to live in “Donald Trump’s America.” I won’t be leaving anytime soon, but I will be fighting with every fiber of my being to keep my America from becoming his.
Wow. Very powerful post. I haven’t been a follower but I am now. A friend shared this on FB and that’s how I found it. I just spent the last hour reading comments down the rabbit hole as it were. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts! I am right there with you. I am anxious for November 3rd and have real hope that Biden/Harris will heal this country. And I am truly fortunate that 98% of my circle of friends + family are not supporters of this president. The other 2% are either blocked or not vocal online and I never hear from them. I don’t have time for someone who excuses immoral behavior. I’ve never had to argue with someone I love who stands on the other side about this president and his hateful ways. I can’t imagine how hard that must be and I wish you all strength and luck.
I believe in a society where we can live civilly and respectfully with people who have different ideologies and beliefs than ourselves. This post creates a more divisive community especially among mothers and parents. I can’t believe that roughly half the country deserves to be shunned. I think we can find extreme examples on both sides of the aisle and to let our political beliefs sour us to abandon grace, basic kindness, inclusiveness will be to the detriment of our communities. I find it ironic sentiment because the negativity perpetuates the hate that the post is complaining about. I respectfully disagree although I believe you have your right to share your thoughts as this is your forum. I didn’t vote for Trump, but I cannot believe that all Trump supporters can be placed in one category and universally categorized. This sentiment is not the answer to our nation’s woes.
His core supporters do not make up even close to half of the country. When polling, the consistent number of people who support-him-no-matter-what, seems to stay around 35%. More than that may end up voting for him, but his cult-thinking followers make up only 35%. For sure that’s an embarrassingly high number of people choosing indecency and corruption, but definitely not half. And remember, that’s 35% of people who will actually vote. The total number of all-in Trump supporters is more like 25% of the population.
You mentioned you didn’t vote for Trump in the last election. Are you voting for Trump this year?
Bravo!
Damn STRAIGHT.
Thank you thank you for using your platform to say what so many are thinking and just don’t have the you know whats to say. Decency. Yes yes yes ❤️❤️
I saw this on Terrierman’s Daily Dose and just wanted to say: BRAVA!!!!! This is wonderfully written and expresses the issue perfectly. I find myself concerned about not getting shot these days given how heavily armed folks around here are, and how ready they are to take umbrage if one shows up wearing a mask at a grocery store. But if we all work together, however defeated we may feel in this moment, change is possible.
Thank you for posting this.
I don’t usually leave comments. I usually just read Gabrielle’s posts, get lost for a few hours in all the links in her weekly “A Few Things”, live vicariously through their French adventures, and admire her design ideas. This is my favorite post out of all of hers! It was brilliant and so accurately articulated the outrage and horror that I’ve felt watching our country fall apart on so many different fronts. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for being so brave. Thank you for drawing that moral line.
Amazing post! Thank you for so eloquently speaking the truth. I can’t fathom how some of my friends and family support Trump.
An example of beautiful, thoughful and BRAVE journalism. I have never read anything so well-put in my life. I will copy this link, and use it as a return-all to any more ‘everyone is entitled to their own views’ rants I am subjected to. Thank you. All the clapping hands emojis x
^ Oh look, one has slithered through the cracks. Begone!
>>poof!<<
oh shoot, I hit reply but it posted at the end of the comments. Sorry!
Well written in many ways but I struggle with your broad characterization of Trump voters. I feel like you painted them with the broadest and most extreme stroke possible to make a dramatic point. I think what you describe (racist, believe the world is flat, anti-vaccine, QAnon, etc.) only represents a fringe element of that group that is magnified and mis-portrayed in liberal publications like the Huffington Post and MSNBC.
Natalie C, you may have a point that not all Trump supporters are racist extremists, but…
What does it say about people who don’t hold fringe and extreme beliefs and still choose to vote for someone like Trump? I think they’re even more deserving of the kind of ostracism proposed by Gabby in this thread.
I LOVE IT!!!
My husband sent this to me.
I can totally relate.
I’m an embroidery designer and digitizer. When someone requests to join my FB group, I go through their wall and check them out. When they have anything that shows they support tRump I want to immediately turn them down. Unfortunately, my pocketbook doesn’t allow me to make calls like that.
My whole family and all but about 4 friends are trumpsters. I’ve stopped trying to show them the truth. Instead I report them to FB when they post lies, hate, voter interference. Apparently it’s working because they are posting hardly anything anymore. It’s nice not to have to weed through it but I miss going through and reporting them. LOL!
My cousin says she doesn’t’ care if she catches tRump in a motel 8 with a hooker, 2 other women, snorting cocaine, and blah blah blah. What kind of mindset is that, that I thought I could make a change?
Enjoyed your post. I wish I could do the same.
You have said EVERYTHING I have ever wanted to say to Trump supports I know and do not know! Thank you!
I am not sure you will see this late comment. I am more confident from things you have said since you won’t care what I have to say. But I find a week later I do have to say it. Your comments upset me. I hate Trumpism. He and the people that support him are symptom but also cause of the forces destroying the country I love–that created me. The Democratic party is too far right for me. I have been a socialist since university. And in the end I really did leave–and immigrate to Canada. But your position felt uncomfortably binary and reductionist. It felt like a mirror image of the kind of black and white thinking that lets Trump supporters label all immigrants dangerous. Reading this op-ed this morning brought my discomfort back to mind.
I was just pointed to this article. It’s great, as are the comments and dialog of the community. I know nothing absolutely nothing more about this site or Gabrielle. Gabrielle, if you’re looking for a side gig and would be interested in moderating my life like you’ve written this article and moderated these comments that would be amazing! (or if you aren’t available maybe commentor Mel could step in from time to time?)
This isn’t an equivalency discussion. It never has been and never should have been. There is a clear line that has been drawn and whether you like it or not, you will have to make a choice. I don’t understand the appeal of Trump at any level, I don’t understand the transformation of the Republican party (whatever conservative ideology once existed is long gone and forgotten, and no this isn’t single issue territory either), I don’t understand the incoherence, justifications, moral contradictions or the rest of it. This isn’t normal politics where both sidism can reign. One person is a genuinely terrible human being who is willing to destroy the country and influence world standing due to their ego and never ending avoidance of accountability, and a small group of people are enabling him by getting people to sell out their own and/or their community’s interests to make that happen. If choices like these don’t have consequences, nothing does.
AMEN!
I’m not religious and this is my first time commenting on your blog. But, I mean it.
Amen.
Thank you so much for speaking out.
Still thinking about this post. Huge applause!
Thank you from my whole heart! You have put into words exactly why I have taken myself off all social media and distances myself from almost everyone I know. I live in upstate S.C. where people still fly confederate flags on their diesel using trucks and there’s a trump sign on every other house. I get so angry I could scream. Wed move but my husbands work is tied here and we’re close to our college daughter and extended family. I heard of your post on the podcast Pantsuit Politics and now will follow your blog. You are brave and a voice of good in our hateful trump society. Again, thank you!
I had never come across your blog, but this article/twitter thread was shared with me and I just want to say thank you. This was so cathartic to read. You put words to the feelings I have had since the early campaign days of 2016. You have gained a reader and a supporter! Also, love your name ;)
I’m not a Trump supporter. I’m voting for Biden/Harris.
But I’m ignoring your content anyway, even though you wrote it for me.
You won’t get my respect until you learn proper English and realize that it is not “align themself” but rather “ally themselves.”
Huh? As a self-proclaimed lover of all things English grammar and a student of linguistics, I make an effort not to demonize those who don’t always follow prescriptive grammar perfectly (who of us really does? We ALL make mistakes, trust me.) because as I’ve learned, critiquing someone’s grammar like you just did can have serious classist and racist implications. Not cool. That can of worms aside, I think Gabby’s in the clear here. If you support Biden/Harris, I hope it’s not a leap to assume that you also support gender-neutral language. The singular gender-neutral third person reflexive pronoun is absolutely acceptable, no matter what your antiquated grammar books may tell you. Language is what we make it, and we can make a concerted effort to change it to reflect our social consciousness as well. I think Gabby’s piece here makes a fine example of that, and I can see that she’s thought through that. Kudos to her.
i love you. i’m so inspired by your words. thank you for articulating this so powerfully. i spent today writing postcards to voters, exhausted and feeling anxious about the election. your post gives me tremendous hope.
I agree 100 percent! Thank you for putting my thoughts into words.