Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly. Your reflections hit on such important truths, especially around feeling caught between worlds that claim to be inclusive but often have their own unspoken rules. It’s incredibly frustrating to feel like your values, desires, and identity don’t fit neatly anywhere, even within circles that should be allies.
Your story is a reminder of how powerful it is to simply be yourself and take up space in ways that feel right to you. You bring such a unique, fierce perspective—one that doesn’t bend to fit the molds others try to put you in. That’s invaluable. It’s inspiring to see you lean into your own voice and trust your experiences, even when they don’t align with others’ expectations. The courage to embrace complexity and resist the binaries others try to impose is a real strength.
And I’m looking forward to that fun post! It sounds like a perfect way to shake things up, and I hope it brings the lightness you need right now.
The key part of your post was highlighting of the need to try to understand the “other side”. (I know, putting that phrase in quotes is a bit disingenuous) I’m firmly on the liberal side of the spectrum but know that most conservatives are just people looking for an easy path to comfort and safety (as are we all). There is often more common ground than not.
Yes, important to keep the discourse going. I don't know if we have as much in common ground anymore (maybe in lofty matters, like music, hobbies, TV shows, etc.), but I think it's imperative to understand the "why" behind the more substantial, deeper views.
"lap up the rrewards from the patriarchy." Bingo. We are emerging from a several thousand years era of Patriarchal dominance. A new time is upon us, BUT IT IS NOT YET HERE. There is still plenty of push back. Not just among traditional men clinging to power, but, as you point out, still plenty of women who are quite comfortable in the ancient role of submissive "helpmeet" to their man.
Wonderful analysis of the problem facing Democrats - thank you for your perspective. We come from very different backgrounds, but find ourselves in the same place. I would add, however, that there remain a fair number of Democrats who do not share the ideology espoused by the party intelligentsia, including many Democrats who actually get elected.
Thanks. I think many of us come from backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that are brushed over. A lot was taken for granted, and focusing on childless cat ladies wasn't enough. (We already had them in the bag anyway!)
It makes me cringe with how much working class perspectives are also not deemed important. I also want to know more about why minority men shifted red.
But my dad is a conservative, working class, immigrant business owner, so answers are closer than I think. I just don't want to get into an argument.
But I need to take my own advice and take up space.
Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly. Your reflections hit on such important truths, especially around feeling caught between worlds that claim to be inclusive but often have their own unspoken rules. It’s incredibly frustrating to feel like your values, desires, and identity don’t fit neatly anywhere, even within circles that should be allies.
Your story is a reminder of how powerful it is to simply be yourself and take up space in ways that feel right to you. You bring such a unique, fierce perspective—one that doesn’t bend to fit the molds others try to put you in. That’s invaluable. It’s inspiring to see you lean into your own voice and trust your experiences, even when they don’t align with others’ expectations. The courage to embrace complexity and resist the binaries others try to impose is a real strength.
And I’m looking forward to that fun post! It sounds like a perfect way to shake things up, and I hope it brings the lightness you need right now.
Thanks so very much for your kind words. 😊
You’re so so welcome 🙏
The key part of your post was highlighting of the need to try to understand the “other side”. (I know, putting that phrase in quotes is a bit disingenuous) I’m firmly on the liberal side of the spectrum but know that most conservatives are just people looking for an easy path to comfort and safety (as are we all). There is often more common ground than not.
Yes, important to keep the discourse going. I don't know if we have as much in common ground anymore (maybe in lofty matters, like music, hobbies, TV shows, etc.), but I think it's imperative to understand the "why" behind the more substantial, deeper views.
"lap up the rrewards from the patriarchy." Bingo. We are emerging from a several thousand years era of Patriarchal dominance. A new time is upon us, BUT IT IS NOT YET HERE. There is still plenty of push back. Not just among traditional men clinging to power, but, as you point out, still plenty of women who are quite comfortable in the ancient role of submissive "helpmeet" to their man.
Wonderful analysis of the problem facing Democrats - thank you for your perspective. We come from very different backgrounds, but find ourselves in the same place. I would add, however, that there remain a fair number of Democrats who do not share the ideology espoused by the party intelligentsia, including many Democrats who actually get elected.
Thanks. I think many of us come from backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that are brushed over. A lot was taken for granted, and focusing on childless cat ladies wasn't enough. (We already had them in the bag anyway!)
It makes me cringe with how much working class perspectives are also not deemed important. I also want to know more about why minority men shifted red.
But my dad is a conservative, working class, immigrant business owner, so answers are closer than I think. I just don't want to get into an argument.
But I need to take my own advice and take up space.