Original (Archive)
Since the election, I’ve been getting lots of comments and emails from Trump supporters accusing me — with no sense of irony — of being too “divisive” and “partisan.” The same people who just elected a criminal on a platform of vengeance, personal attacks, and dehumanization now have the nerve to suggest that I should be working for “unity.”
With all due respect (in this case none), fuck that.
I’m not going to make nice with people who have no respect for truth or decency. I won’t befriend those threatening to cage and deport good people just because of their race. I won’t seek common ground with those who would take children from their parents and break up loving marriages in the name of “morality.”
Do you Trump-lovers really think I give a damn about getting along with people who would force a teenage girl to carry her rapist’s pregnancy to term even as it wrecked her body, ruined her future, and possibly killed her? You degenerates hurt and endanger and dehumanize the people I love and now you want to give me lectures on unity? In the words of President-Elect Musk, “Take a big step back and F*** YOURSELF in the face.”
It’s pretty obvious that their idea of “unity” doesn’t involve any change on their part. No, these petty sycophants who can’t bring themselves to breathe the slightest criticism of Dear Leader expect the rest of us to abandon our loyalties and principles to be more like them. I suppose people who have no principles just can’t understand what they’re asking.
I think their idea of “unity” is for everyone else to become as blindly obedient to authority as they are. With their identities grounded in hierarchy, “unity” for MAGA equates to submission and “divisiveness” equates to disobedience. What they really want is for troublemakers like me to pipe down and stop causing trouble for Daddy Trump. Good luck with that.
So, if standing up for the common good, the rule of law, equal rights for all, and fact-based reality makes me “divisive,” I’ll own that. I won’t compromise my integrity just to get along with people I don’t respect. My intelligence will not compromise with their stupidity. My honesty will not compromise with their lies. My sense of justice will not compromise with their cruelty. My love for democracy will not compromise with their authoritarianism. My desire for peace will not compromise with r love of violence.
In “We’re Not Shaming Trump Voters, Trump Voters Are,” John Pavlovitz writes, “I’m through coddling indecency under the guise of ceremonial unity. I’m over giving sickness a wide berth in the name of some surface level decorum. I’m done protecting the supposed feelings of people who have shown time and time again, that they lack even the most microscopic levels of empathy for those most violated and assailed in this country right now. Asking an adult human being to be responsible for their irresponsible choices isn’t shaming them.”
If you Trump supporters actually care about unity, how about you take the first step. Come over to our side of things, even a little. Since unity is so important to you, surely you’d be willing to support some of my causes to win me back? Maybe a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants? Legal protection for reproductive rights nationwide? Raising the minimum wage to a living wage? Universal background checks for firearms? Universal healthcare? No? Well maybe don’t ask us to do what you are yourselves incapable of.
MAGA’s idea of “unity” via mindless conformity, to the contrary, is just window dressing for authoritarianism. After all, North Korea is “united.” (And while I’m tempted to ask, “and do you really want to be like North Korea?” following the election I’m not sure everyone will understand that to be a rhetorical questions, so I’ll just leave it.)
A living democracy depends on the tension of our struggles and differences. Unity, on the other hand, only leads to a consolidation of power and the erosion of liberty. Freedom thrives in chaos. Unity offers only the stability of prison bars.
The premise of the American experiment has never been that we all be in agreement but rather that we all commit to preserving the system that allows us to disagree without coming to blows. One half of the country has now abandoned this premise, and if they ultimately prevail, that will be the end of America as a land of liberty and justice.
No Unity. No Compromises. No Surrender.
In “Yes, It Is Us Vs. Them in America. That’s What Trump Supporters Voted For.” John Pavolovitz writes, “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz confidently bet the house on unity — and they lost. They lost, because 77 million Americans chose division, they ratified separation, they amen-ed exclusion; because despite their professions of a love your neighbor faith and their America Firstnationalistic fervor, they chose wars and walls and tribalism…Trump’s campaign offered zero policies, no tangible ideas, no unifying aspirations, no galvanizing agenda. He simply dispensed hatred and fear, paraded lazy stereotypes and tired caricatures — and that proved to be a winning strategy…unity isn’t attractive anymore.”
While I believe a unity that protects our individual liberties and honors our differences is still very much attractive, it’s simply not possible when half the country demands that everyone else live and think exactly as they do. Unity can only occur when both sides are willing to meet halfway. It’s clear that MAGA has no such intentions, and frankly neither do I. I’m so tired of being hurt and disappointed politically ignorant haters. When they’re ready to renounce their campaign of vengeance and cruelty, maybe then we can talk common ground. But I’m done coddling these stupid asshats, making excuses for their immorality, rationalizing their depravity, and taking their abuse.
John Pavlovitz again: “I believed that witnessing capitol police officers being beaten on the steps of Congress with flags bearing [Trump’s] name would have fully sickened his most-ardent supporters to the point of defection. I was absolutely certain that as photos and the videos and the testimonies streamed in of officers being crushed by wild-eyed MAGA loyalists; of unhinged men and women prowling the very seat of our government with tear gas and zip ties and nooses seeking members of Congress — that for perhaps only once in the four years since he arrived, we would finally all be of one mind and that they would declare this all fully unacceptable. Four years ago, I would have bet my house that Republican voters’ patriotism, faith convictions, and simple humanity would have surfaced and they would reject this violent lawlessness once-and-for-all.”
But, no. They embraced it. Everything about January 6 that sickens the rest of us is exactly what MAGA wanted. Go back, watch the videos, and then talk to me about “unity.” Because unlike MAGA, I actually love this country, and I won’t be holding hands with a bunch of goddamn traitors.
I know a lot of fellow lefties will disagree with my stance and still hold out hope of MAGA coming to their senses for the good of the country. They’ll point out that articles like this one will only make Trump supporters dig in their heels and become more stubborn and defensive. Is that even possible? They’ve had every chance to come around, but why would they when they thrive on conflict and division? All they know how to do is obstruct, distract, attack, and offend. Does anyone really think they’re suddenly going to give up acting like bratty children and embrace the sober work of governance and problem solving? Whining, playing the victim, and saying “no” is all MAGA knows.
I’ve given up on them. Completely. Only the natural consequences of their depravity can change them now. It’s futile to expect to persuade someone whose whole identity is wrapped up in opposing you no matter what you say. There is no changing them because conflict is what they want. I want be offering up one more olive branch of peace for them to wipe their asses with.
To those on the right who still consider me “divisive,” let me make you a deal:
I’ll stop calling you liars when you stop spreading false information and idiotic conspiracies.
I’ll stop calling you hypocrites when you’ll start holding yourselves to the same standards you hold for everyone else.
I’ll stop calling you cruel when you stop electing people on the promise that they’ll hurt the vulnerable.
I’ll stop calling you cowards if you just once stand on principle instead of being unquestioningly obedient to authority figures who do nothing to deserve it.
And I’ll stop implying you’re stupid if you quit saying profoundly stupid things.
Fair?
Oh, and get ready for four more years of everything you hate about people like me because we’re not going anywhere and we’ll be opposing you at every turn.
See you in the arena.
Since the election, I’ve been getting lots of comments and emails from Trump supporters accusing me — with no sense of irony — of being too “divisive” and “partisan.” The same people who just elected a criminal on a platform of vengeance, personal attacks, and dehumanization now have the nerve to suggest that I should be working for “unity.”
With all due respect (in this case none), fuck that.
I’m not going to make nice with people who have no respect for truth or decency. I won’t befriend those threatening to cage and deport good people just because of their race. I won’t seek common ground with those who would take children from their parents and break up loving marriages in the name of “morality.”
Do you Trump-lovers really think I give a damn about getting along with people who would force a teenage girl to carry her rapist’s pregnancy to term even as it wrecked her body, ruined her future, and possibly killed her? You degenerates hurt and endanger and dehumanize the people I love and now you want to give me lectures on unity? In the words of President-Elect Musk, “Take a big step back and F*** YOURSELF in the face.”
What Does Unity Mean to MAGA?
What exactly does unity mean to a movement defined by hatred and fear? The driving force of MAGA has always been the rejection of liberals, Democrats, LGBTQ, immigrants, journalists, scientists, Muslims, addicts, the homeless, and literally anyone who is not a straight, white Christian. To then accuse all those you’ve been attacking relentlessly of being “divisive” is weapons-grade gaslighting. Not that I think MAGA are that clever but rather simply oblivious to their own duplicity. Any Trump supporter with a shred of self-awareness would drown in hypocrisy in minutes.It’s pretty obvious that their idea of “unity” doesn’t involve any change on their part. No, these petty sycophants who can’t bring themselves to breathe the slightest criticism of Dear Leader expect the rest of us to abandon our loyalties and principles to be more like them. I suppose people who have no principles just can’t understand what they’re asking.
I think their idea of “unity” is for everyone else to become as blindly obedient to authority as they are. With their identities grounded in hierarchy, “unity” for MAGA equates to submission and “divisiveness” equates to disobedience. What they really want is for troublemakers like me to pipe down and stop causing trouble for Daddy Trump. Good luck with that.
Not Divisive, Just Principled
The thing is, I’m not divisive. I don’t seek or enjoy conflict, and I’m not blindly partisan. What I am is principled. I stand by my values, even when it’s difficult or requires a sacrifice. Rather than idolizing political leaders and changing my beliefs to accommodate them, I assess policies and public figures according to ideals of truth, justice, and compassion and reject those found wanting, whatever their party or claim to authority. To be blindly loyal to a strongman is to choose your own slavery, which those unwilling or unable to bear the responsibilities of freedom do all too eagerly. Loyalty to principles, on the other hand, is the very essence of liberty.So, if standing up for the common good, the rule of law, equal rights for all, and fact-based reality makes me “divisive,” I’ll own that. I won’t compromise my integrity just to get along with people I don’t respect. My intelligence will not compromise with their stupidity. My honesty will not compromise with their lies. My sense of justice will not compromise with their cruelty. My love for democracy will not compromise with their authoritarianism. My desire for peace will not compromise with r love of violence.
In “We’re Not Shaming Trump Voters, Trump Voters Are,” John Pavlovitz writes, “I’m through coddling indecency under the guise of ceremonial unity. I’m over giving sickness a wide berth in the name of some surface level decorum. I’m done protecting the supposed feelings of people who have shown time and time again, that they lack even the most microscopic levels of empathy for those most violated and assailed in this country right now. Asking an adult human being to be responsible for their irresponsible choices isn’t shaming them.”
If you Trump supporters actually care about unity, how about you take the first step. Come over to our side of things, even a little. Since unity is so important to you, surely you’d be willing to support some of my causes to win me back? Maybe a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants? Legal protection for reproductive rights nationwide? Raising the minimum wage to a living wage? Universal background checks for firearms? Universal healthcare? No? Well maybe don’t ask us to do what you are yourselves incapable of.
Democracy Thrives on Diversity
I understand the desire — the need, even — to work together to solve the problems facing us. It’s tempting to think we could fix everything if we were all just pulling in the same direction. But in actuality, our diversity and differences are what drive us forward. The clash of different ideas and worldviews is what has always made the United States the most innovative, vibrant, and economically successful nation on the planet despite the tumultuousness and internal conflict it entails.MAGA’s idea of “unity” via mindless conformity, to the contrary, is just window dressing for authoritarianism. After all, North Korea is “united.” (And while I’m tempted to ask, “and do you really want to be like North Korea?” following the election I’m not sure everyone will understand that to be a rhetorical questions, so I’ll just leave it.)
A living democracy depends on the tension of our struggles and differences. Unity, on the other hand, only leads to a consolidation of power and the erosion of liberty. Freedom thrives in chaos. Unity offers only the stability of prison bars.
The premise of the American experiment has never been that we all be in agreement but rather that we all commit to preserving the system that allows us to disagree without coming to blows. One half of the country has now abandoned this premise, and if they ultimately prevail, that will be the end of America as a land of liberty and justice.
No Unity. No Compromises. No Surrender.
In “Yes, It Is Us Vs. Them in America. That’s What Trump Supporters Voted For.” John Pavolovitz writes, “Kamala Harris and Tim Walz confidently bet the house on unity — and they lost. They lost, because 77 million Americans chose division, they ratified separation, they amen-ed exclusion; because despite their professions of a love your neighbor faith and their America Firstnationalistic fervor, they chose wars and walls and tribalism…Trump’s campaign offered zero policies, no tangible ideas, no unifying aspirations, no galvanizing agenda. He simply dispensed hatred and fear, paraded lazy stereotypes and tired caricatures — and that proved to be a winning strategy…unity isn’t attractive anymore.”
While I believe a unity that protects our individual liberties and honors our differences is still very much attractive, it’s simply not possible when half the country demands that everyone else live and think exactly as they do. Unity can only occur when both sides are willing to meet halfway. It’s clear that MAGA has no such intentions, and frankly neither do I. I’m so tired of being hurt and disappointed politically ignorant haters. When they’re ready to renounce their campaign of vengeance and cruelty, maybe then we can talk common ground. But I’m done coddling these stupid asshats, making excuses for their immorality, rationalizing their depravity, and taking their abuse.
John Pavlovitz again: “I believed that witnessing capitol police officers being beaten on the steps of Congress with flags bearing [Trump’s] name would have fully sickened his most-ardent supporters to the point of defection. I was absolutely certain that as photos and the videos and the testimonies streamed in of officers being crushed by wild-eyed MAGA loyalists; of unhinged men and women prowling the very seat of our government with tear gas and zip ties and nooses seeking members of Congress — that for perhaps only once in the four years since he arrived, we would finally all be of one mind and that they would declare this all fully unacceptable. Four years ago, I would have bet my house that Republican voters’ patriotism, faith convictions, and simple humanity would have surfaced and they would reject this violent lawlessness once-and-for-all.”
But, no. They embraced it. Everything about January 6 that sickens the rest of us is exactly what MAGA wanted. Go back, watch the videos, and then talk to me about “unity.” Because unlike MAGA, I actually love this country, and I won’t be holding hands with a bunch of goddamn traitors.
I know a lot of fellow lefties will disagree with my stance and still hold out hope of MAGA coming to their senses for the good of the country. They’ll point out that articles like this one will only make Trump supporters dig in their heels and become more stubborn and defensive. Is that even possible? They’ve had every chance to come around, but why would they when they thrive on conflict and division? All they know how to do is obstruct, distract, attack, and offend. Does anyone really think they’re suddenly going to give up acting like bratty children and embrace the sober work of governance and problem solving? Whining, playing the victim, and saying “no” is all MAGA knows.
I’ve given up on them. Completely. Only the natural consequences of their depravity can change them now. It’s futile to expect to persuade someone whose whole identity is wrapped up in opposing you no matter what you say. There is no changing them because conflict is what they want. I want be offering up one more olive branch of peace for them to wipe their asses with.
To those on the right who still consider me “divisive,” let me make you a deal:
I’ll stop calling you liars when you stop spreading false information and idiotic conspiracies.
I’ll stop calling you hypocrites when you’ll start holding yourselves to the same standards you hold for everyone else.
I’ll stop calling you cruel when you stop electing people on the promise that they’ll hurt the vulnerable.
I’ll stop calling you cowards if you just once stand on principle instead of being unquestioningly obedient to authority figures who do nothing to deserve it.
And I’ll stop implying you’re stupid if you quit saying profoundly stupid things.
Fair?
Oh, and get ready for four more years of everything you hate about people like me because we’re not going anywhere and we’ll be opposing you at every turn.
See you in the arena.
