How is it that people you call friends suddenly become racists, bigots or homophobes during an election?
My wife and I have been a part of a group of friends for over 10 years. We watch football, go out to dinner, to the beach, and have BBQs. Our children play together and attend the same schools. And while we knew that some of them were Republicans, we didn't think they occupied the far right-wing edge of that party. Boy, did this election ever reveal some latent phobias in a really bad way.
Somehow we got on the wrong e-mail distribution list. Before the primaries even started, we received a 14-minute video concerning some felonious wingnut who wanted an investigation of Hillary and Bill Clinton and their post-presidential business ventures. It was then and there that I decided I couldn't vote for Hillary -- not because she was a woman, but because she was a Clinton. I just could not stomach another 4-8 years of Starr-type investigations and huge wastes of taxpayer money to ultimately reveal what I already knew -- there are people out there who rabidly hate the Clintons. Having them back in office would be a repeat of Clinton I, and I wanted no part of it.
But then the e-mails started on the Obamas -- hateful pictures of Michelle and a simian with the title "A picture is worth a 1000 words; need I say more?" I wrote to the sender and asked to be removed from their distribution list. More continued, linking the Obamas to everything potentially evil in this world, regardless of the veracity. I'd provide them the truth-busting links to Factcheck.org, Snopes, even Wikipedia, and they denied the obvious. "My research indicates otherwise" was a reply concerning a quote wrongfully attributed to Abraham Lincoln. Are you kidding me?
My "friends" with advanced degrees were spewing forth such anger and hate that I was embarrassed. Embarrassed to be on a distribution list that might think I shared these ridiculous and erroneous attacks against the candidate I supported. "Please remove me from your e-mail list; I don't support your candidate and don't send you e-mails denigrating your candidate, so give me the same courtesy." And still the hate-filled missives continued.
Finally, I had enough. I flamed the offending sender and every single person in the distribution list. I even offered "don't be so presumptuous to believe that everyone on your list shares your view." But the assaults kept coming. I went further, accusing them of being ignorant, living in a holler in the mountains, being a racist, or a homophobe or a bigot, that their pointed white headpiece was showing. No matter. They were trying to convert me. I wasn't having any of it.
One recipient wrote to say she felt assaulted by my flame. She recommended I delete the offensive e-mails without reading. I couldn't:
When the Nazis came for the communists, I said nothing; I was, of
course, no communist.
When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; I was, of
course, no Social Democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists, I said nothing; I was, of
course, no trade unionist.
When they came for me, there was no one left who could protest.
If we allow this kind of hate and bigotry and racism continue to invade the national culture, then we will have no basis for complaint when it becomes the norm. We have a duty to stand up to it, just as they did during the Civil Rights Movement. As Americans, we should be better than that.
So I'm sad, because I don't think I can look these "friends" in the eye and see things the same way any more. I don't think I can break bread with them, or share a beer. Perhaps it's too early, but it's just so raw.
I feel stupid, for not seeing them for what they were.