I know that liberals are annoying; I am one. We think we know everything. While some people are liberal religiously and conservative politically (and vice versa), I am liberal in both categories. I don’t know if I was born this way, I don’t know if I’m bitter about something, I don’t know what happened. But at the end of the day, I know that if you disagree with me about anything, my opinions are more valid than yours because I know better than you.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to make you feel that way. I don’t mean to be a bully on social media, I don’t mean to be an elitist on panels on TV, and I don’t mean to be condescending in social conversation. I just want people to be treated fairly, and I don’t understand why you don’t get that!
When you try explaining to me a different point of view and I get that incredulous look on my face, it’s not because I don’t understand, it’s because I’m afraid. I’m afraid that if I even entertain the possibility that your way of thinking could be true, I will turn into a racist, intolerant, bigoted monster… at least that’s what my friends will call me. I can’t acknowledge that I have any inconsistencies, especially to you, because then you will humiliate me. I want you to see me as well-informed, just, and welcoming to differences (even though sometimes I think really prejudiced things about people).
Please don’t doubt my sincerity for the causes that I support. I do support those causes, even if it’s only for the 2 hours that those causes are trending on Twitter. If it crosses my mind, and I feel the need to say something about it, I should have the right to say something about it without getting attacked. I’m tired of being asked what my opinion on something is, and then getting shut down when I voice it. Why can’t you just leave me alone? Why can’t you acknowledge the fact that I’m only lashing out because I’m scared out of my mind right now and I have no idea what’s going on.
Your constant criticism is not helping me calm down. You are riling me up and stressing me out and that’s why I’m acting out right now. What else am I supposed to do? You wanna help me? Help me by acknowledging my effort to do something about my outrage and help me to calm down. I’ve always secretly admired your level-headedness in most situations, but right now, I feel like I’m the only level-headed one. It’s like I’ve had to become the parent in what was supposed to be an equal partnership. I feel like I’m alone in this.
Can you please try to patiently help me to see the big picture? Sometimes I get caught up in “ant world” and I forget that there’s a great big world outside of myself. I just want freedom, peace, and happiness: the exact same things that you want. Could you just have some compassion for me instead of constant criticism and judgment? I’m just like you and I’m so scared. Things are happening around me that I’ve never seen before. Sometimes I just need you to say:
“I see your perspective. It makes sense.”
“Thank you for your courage.”
“I admire your commitment to justice and human rights.”
“You really know your stuff.”
“I know that this is upsetting to you, but I really do believe everything will be ok.”
“Thank you for being honest about that.”
“I really value your opinion.”
“Oh. I never thought of it that way.”
Wait… Are these the same things that you need to hear from me too? Maybe we are actually soul mates who deep down inside, really love and respect each other… Maybe you’re just as scared as I am…Maybe we’re ushering in a new world together.
