I keep seeing diaries about how we need to “reach out” to Trump supporters because they are redeemable and not all bad. However, whenever people point out these are people who support racism and racial inequality, sexism, homophobia, etc., the rebuttal is “no, not them, the others.” So where is the line?
Take racism. Is it ok if they accept systemic racial inequality, but believe that the police shouldn’t be allowed to kill BlPOC just because? Or is racial inequality unacceptable, too? Or they can be racist, just not use the n word?
As for sexism and misogyny, is it ok if they oppose a woman’s right to choose as long as they are ok with improving the economic outlook of women (yes, I know they are tied, but we have to start the conversation somewhere)?
I ask these questions because when you reach out to these people, they aren’t going to just say, “Yes, we agree with M4A, now we accept all people!” They are going to have some of their old prejudices and bigotries (and 1) if you aren’t going to accept them for those, why should they vote for you and 2) if you can’t accept at least some of your agenda, why should they support you?)
Full disclaimer, while I am a gay male, I am a cis gay white male, so I am aware I have prejudices and bigotries I am probably not always aware of. However, I defer to BLM and others when they say they are perceiving being on the receiving end of discrimination. Who am I to tell them what their experience is when I don’t share it?
I get the argument that all Trump supporters are not the Proud Boys. However, they still were wiling to support familial separation and children in cages, anti-Muslim bias, open racism and violence against POC, homophobia and transphobia, including the killing of transpersons for who they are. And this is just a short list. I could go on. So while I admit they aren’t the Proud Boys promoting overt White Supremacy, they certainly were not opposed to it.
So what of that agenda is acceptable? Because if they are ok with that, then what part of our agenda is going to attract them? And even if part of our agenda attracts them, then please explain what part of their agenda Democrats are ok with? Because I don’t see common ground. What exactly are we willing to “compromise” on?