For the last year, I have been telling my cousins and in-laws on Facebook to, “Shut up, read this article and stop being so ignorant.” That’s not a quote, but looking back over the tone of my message, that is effectively what I said to them. Donald Trump is now our President-Elect. So maybe, “Stop being an ignorant racist/misogynist/homophobe” is not an effective message.
“If you would just read this HuffPo Link and stop being so ignorant you would see that I am right.”
“Why do you hate blacks, Hispanics, gays and Muslims by supporting Cheetoh Hitler? Follow this WaPo link and LOOK AT WHAT ONE OF HIS SUPPORTERS DID!!!”
Did we Demsplain our way to President Trump?
When I started working in academia, there were the obligatory and endless “Diversity Seminars”. I silently rolled my eyes and went. I listened. I went again, because I was told to. But every time I took away at least one thing that caused me to pause and reflect. I am still not totally comfortable in them, but comfort is the root of my privilege, so I go and listen and I learn.
But I understand the Trump voter. They are me from so long ago. They are tired of being lectured and told that they are racists/misogynists/homophobes. They are tired, like most of us, of being pissed on then told it’s raining. In return, what do they get from their family members on Facebook? “Be quiet you racist illiterates” or “How can you be so dumb” or “Please just read this totally liberal article and you WILL SEE THE LIGHT”.
I know my relatives and in-laws and most of them are not racist/misogynist/homophobic. They’re just not. Less educated than I? For the most part. But our media and politicians are driving wedges between families and we’re screaming our lines from the left in this sad sad drama. I understand the reaction I see behind my cousins and inlaws’ eyes, “Please stop yelling at me that I am the problem. I am sick and tired of working this shitty job and then getting dumped on for trying to improve my lot. Time to vote for the guy you hate.”
If anybody reads this Diary, I expect some backlash. “How dare you say “Demsplaining” etc etc. OK, you’re right. I am speaking from a position of white male privilege. But, is being angry at me and accusing me of this or that make your argument more or less persuasive?”
I always told myself that my job during election season was to deliver as many in-laws and cousins as I could. Looking back, I think all I did was turn out Trump voters.
Time for me to find better personal messaging. My first test is Bannon. My first reaction, “OMFG. SEE. SEE.” It’s obvious to me that posting a link to a well written “Bannon Gets Destroyed” is the worst thing I can do. It’s time to just be quiet on Facebook and let Trump be Trump. Yeah, it’s horrible to do nothing, but I think Demsplaining my relatives with “I told you so” is not only ineffective, it’s also counterproductive.
I think I’ll start trying “Business as usual”. Trump is a change candidate. As he realizes that his new job is HARD he will start to hand it over to the old guard GOP. “Business as usual” is all I am going to say.
