“The Politics of Fear” by Barry Blitt, July 21, 2008 Occasionally, I make political commentary on my blog and social media channels. Occasionally this ruffles some feathers and people express feelings of discomfort when I “get political.” I thought we could talk about, talking about politics on social media today. Let’s start with the basics....
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Hey, I'm Amy!
I'm an author, artist, and disability advocate. I live with my handsome husband and three beautiful daughters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Miggy, I always find your politics postings to be very even-handed and so well-thought out. I remember your post about sexual harrassment, and commented at the time. It really spoke to me because it was so similar to my own experiences in the office when I was younger. Of course I don't see anything political about issues like this. To me it's simply, "men, keep your hands off the women in the office. And think about what you're saying." Same with rights for the disabled. I guess being for those rights makes me a liberal? Okay, I'll take the label. Call me whatever, just ensure the disabled have the same access the non-disabled have. To education, to jobs, heck just to get around town and inside buildings. I've known people who rolled their eyes when our town was putting curb cuts in the sidewalks at intersections. REALLY?!
I hope you continue to share your thoughts on "sensitive" topics and continue to speak out for women and girls.
Wow. People rolling their eyes at curb cuts. Not only are they useful for people in wheelchairs or who use walkers, they also benefit mothers who walk with strollers, or delivery people using a dolly. It's hard for me to have patience for some people's short sightedness. Especially considering one or more of thoese eye-rollers will presumably be in a wheelchair one day and they'll be grateful for those dang curb cuts.
I’m with you on so many levels. I’m a woman, four daughters, with a daughter with special medical needs. She has a 504 plan at school. I’m a registered independent and vote 50/50 for each party (generally speaking; depends on the candidates). I also cannot stand Donald Trump and i have a physiological reaction to him. Keep talking about politics. These are extremely important issues! I enjoy hearing your thoughts. I feel that people who don’t like talking about these issues are the ones who don’t have to worry about them. Keep it up!
" I feel that people who don’t like talking about these issues are the ones who don’t have to worry about them." Yep. Privilidge.
Love this. These are important issues to talk about. I noticed people commenting on another blogger's instagram a few days ago, to the tune of "I come to your account for positivity, not to have politics shoved in my face." That is such an incredibly privileged sentiment and it makes me ragey. Keep speaking up, keep speaking out, and keep being awesome.
If it's the same blogger I follow, then yes I saw this too…and I was also dissapointed in the comments. I've felt quite a bit of rage since November 2015.
Love this post. I do not shy away from political discussions in any forum. One side note, I come from a long line of Chicago police officers (almost everyone but me are cops on my dad's side of the family). I was raised with a keen street sense. When I moved out on my own my father had me read the book, "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin DeBecker. I, in turn, have suggested it to many of my female friends who have described feelings similar to what you described above. I implore you to read it. You won't be sorry and it may help minimize some of the things you described. https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Gavin-Becker-ebook/dp/B0036Z9U2A
I've read it. It's a great book! And yes it has minimized those feelings a great deal.
However, the point of what I'm saying above is that I shouldn't have to live in fear like that, not because I've read the book about how to properly listen to and understand my fears, but because violence against women isn't so prevelant that books like this have to be written. And while I'm sure this book is helpful for men, it's definitely meant primarily for a female audience. The same idea as instead of teaching women self-defense and how to avoid rape, lets teach men how to stop raping.
But like you said, it is a great book and I have recommended it many times as well. 🙂
Get it. Agree whole-heartedly.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, except when I don't ;).
I agree with your sentiment that it's impossible to remove politics from any of this, just as it is impossible (in my mind) to remove "religion" from anything. As an aside, I don't think there could ever possibly be a true "separation of church and state" because both are made-up of people. People bring their values and beliefs (whether those beliefs and values are rooted in an organized religion or not) with them wherever they go.
Anyway, the problem for me is that sometimes I just want a break from politics and from our very divisive, very emotionally charged culture (as you say 1960s 2.0). I live in a very socially/politically conscious suburb of Chicago and my neighbors have signs on their lawns and bumper stickers and statements galore and then I read the news, and just want/NEED a break. I love the friction that I sometimes feel with my neighbors because it makes me feel alive and forces me to be thoughtful and respectful, etc. But sometimes, I am not strong enough to dwell on these things all the time. I, quite literally, lose sleep because of anxiety and heartache for all that's going on in the world, and, admittedly, for how it affects my family (with my youngest son having Down syndrome). (Incidentally, the cure for me is submitting these thoughts and feelings and the situations themselves to God in prayer). So, again, I get why some people don't like politics on social media.
I have to confess that I actually did "leave" one site because of this. There is one VERY well known blogger out of New York (Brooklyn) who I read for a very long time. You can probably guess who I'm talking about ;). I have always identified as a conservative/quasi-Republican, but like you I have been swaying more "liberal" as I've gotten older. Anyway, this blogger posts more and more politics lately and while I respect that she does it (because some bloggers post like we're in some kind of vacuum. I mean, how can you NOT talk about certain things??), I find that the "opposing" view is almost entirely non-existent. Her online space is a veritable echo-chamber. The comments are very weirdly "one-sided" or rather lacking in nuance. It's like "seriously? Everyone reading thinks the EXACT same way?" It's become very rah-rah, and not respectful. Sometimes the comments are downright hateful. I never feel comfortable in or trust an environment like that, so I left!
Anyway, please keep doing what you're doing. I love your heart about all these things and that's why I come here :).
Roxana
P.S. Sorry for the EPIC comment!
Hi, I totally agree with you. How can I not talk about politics? It's part of life, and it's a part of MY life. I actually tend to respect people more who keep up on current events and have something to say about them. But, I know that some people, especially in the religious culture of which I am a part, value meekness and try to avoid contention, and in doing so, avoid talking about politics or current events at all. I get it, but I disagree that that is the way to go about it. I think it's more valuable to actually USE our brains and logic, while maintaining civility and respect in our conversations. Nowadays, I definitely have seen a decline in respectful debate in the political and media spheres and I think a lot of people don't know how to do it. (I'm still learning as well, but I want to try!)
As a Canadian I am generally the viewer from outside thinking ‘but how was he elected’ and I appreciate posts that include a variety of links of interesting articles that I may or may not read but that help me stay updated.
However reflecting on the first part of my sentence my province just elected in a ‘populist’ mini trump as premier who is already making needless ripples. Ugh.
Staying and being political makes us all better citizens
You should be political. Do not change a thing. If you didn't mention the utter craziness going on, that would be the problem.
"If you didn't mention the utter craziness going on, that would be the problem."
Yes, that's how I feel as well. Political issues are human issues and never more so than right now.
Hi, I love your blog because of the visibility you provide to disability. It is so needed because people need to see themselves reflected in the world but also to remind people of our common humanity, and that our value as a person is not in any way tied to our health status.
Bravo for writing this post. I am with you.
And as a path toward having tough conversations, can I recommend Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg? I think we are all gonna need a lot of nonviolent communication in our lives.
The general idea being that yes, shaming, judging, labeling, criticizing people doesn't work to change minds, but hearing what other people need and value, what emotions they are feeling, does help connect us. And the connection between us is really what matters.
I wish it were easier said than done.
Thank you for the book recommendation…I'll check it out. I could definitely do better with non-violent communication as I tend to be a passionate debater. 😉
I'm glad you are posting about this. It's your reality, and that's what you are choosing to do, and we all DO need to respect people's online spaces. I can understand why people sometimes need to take a break – my anxiety spikes a lot more these days when I head for any news source – but a person's need to take a break shouldn't translate to distaste for a blogger's (or anyone's) right to express their frustrations with or accolades for current policies.
I'm not sure that was very coherent. But I admire all of the people who are speaking up and speaking out.