"Stop whining."

OMGEEEEEE. Someone is saying something I don't like. It makes me uncomfortable, and so, instead of self reflection as to why, I'm going to turn the tables on them. I'm going to paint myself as the victim (obviously I'm always the victim!) while simultaneously asking them to silence themselves so that my bubble remain protected, and so that I'm surrounded by only people who say the same things I do.

​Echooooooooooooooooooooo.

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I may vehemently and utterly disagree with your opinions, but I'm a pretty big advocate of that whole silly free speech thang. I know, I know... call me old-fashioned, but I long for the days when people understood and respected the first amendment. 

wait, I got you:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Just so we're all clear.

​The current administration has a colorful interpretation of this amendment, threatening to cut off certain members of the press, refusing to answer questions from the press, lying about the press, and banning white house departments from tweeting if they don't like their tweets (that happened ON INAUGURATION DAY). Kelly Anne Conway has said multiple times that those who have voiced dissention should "BE CAREFUL."  The administration, if it truly wanted to serve and unite ALL people, should whole-heartedly embrace and listen to all viewpoints, not just the ones that appease our twitter-in-chief's ego. WE NEED TO SUPPORT THE PRESS MORE THAN EVER. WE MUST ALLOW THEM TO DO THEIR JOBS AND HOLD THE ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNTABLE.

In fact, more and more it appears that there's a perception that only two "groups" of people  get to take part in these first amendment rights:  1) the person who won the most electoral votes, and 2)those taking  it upon themselves to tell everyone else to be silent. Weird how that works out, no?

You could legitimately be the biggest asshat I've ever encountered or come across and I would still support your right to spew your nonsense all over your Facebook page or wherever (with the exception of hate speech). I respect your right to have an opinion and use your voice. I may not respect your opinion, you, or anything you stand for, but I fully support your right to boast about being the world's largest asshat. DO YOU!

I even respect your right to take a picture of yourself flipping off peaceful protesters. It is your complete and absolute right to showcase your shortcomings. 

And so, as you can imagine, it concerns me when I see a large number of people demanding for the silence of their fellow friends, family members and citizens. Those who are speaking up on what's important to them: tolerance, equality, acceptance and love, are being told to "move on."  Move on?  What exactly are we being asked to move on to? See, I get that you only want to speak up about issues two months before an election... but they like, still TOTALLY exist after an election. There's no pause button. It's ALWAYS acceptable to speak up. 

I'm here to say HELL TO THE FUCKING NO am I throwing in the towel when it comes to fighting for my and our fellow humans' basic rights and respect. I will NOT consent to some orange baffoon grabbing my pussy because he "can", and I most certainly won't sit idly by while  civil rights are up on the chopping block. You are responsible if you choose to remain ignorant regarding the hate-based rhetoric of Donald Trump's campaign and his promises. It is NEVER too late to get informed and stand up.

I mean SHIT, the rest of the world (aside from Russia) marched yesterday as well.  WOMEN IN FUCKING ANTARCTICA even protested. Helllllllllloooooooo. Are you not listening? You should be.

Are you listening? Really listening to the messages from the peaceful marches and protests? Don't they all encompass a basic call for respect and equality? It's not a large ask. These aren't ground-breaking requests in the 21st century folks.

And if your response is to 1) fat shame, 2) create and support a racist meme, 3) adopt a cause you have no real interest as a point of opposition, or 4)insinuate that people should not exercise their free speech, you's got to get yourself some education and reflection time. Stat.

People that advocate for censorship are a scary breed. Especially when they start from the top. What's the best way to brainwash a nation? Destroy their education and censor freedom of speech, while providing "alternative facts."

​We currently have people on our own school board who fight for censorship. I won't be brainwashed. I'm not going to take it up the ass, lying down, or bending over. Keep talking. Keep sharing. Keep informing. Keep the dialogue going, even when you don't think it benefits you... that's probably when it does the most. Stop fearing alternative viewpoints that embrace tolerance and open-mindedness and equality. These aren't scary concepts.

SCREAM AS LOUDLY AS YOU WANT FOR SILENCE. Donald is cheering you on. He wants you to continue to be uniformed. He loves the under-educated if you'll recall him saying. 

"The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command... and if all others accepted the lie, which the party imposed, if all records told the same tale, then the lie passed into history and became truth"

1984 - George Orwell
​
As my husband said this morning: Everyone's homework assignment is to re-read 1984.

P.S. I tried to use lots of pretty colors for the next person wants to print out my blog and bring it to my work. <3 <3