I think part of what leads to the absolutely insane-feeling conversations is our collective inability to grasp two things as being true (in so many contexts, but currently this one).
Yes, he held and espoused absolutely abhorrent views toward many, many people, and his work contributed to the degradation of our democracy.
No, that did not mean he deserved to be assassinated, and there are people who loved him who are now grieving.
The idea that if you recognize one, you cannot also recognize the other has somehow taken root, primarily driven by political opportunists. Culturally, we need to get a lot better at holding onto two truths at the same time.
I really appreciate the way you navigated this conversation, and didn't run away from who he actually was and stood for. I have found myself startled, and disappointed in the ways that people have tried to sanitize him. I have also been frustrated and saddened at those who have gloated over his death. I think both of these things have been spurred on by the continuing crumbling of democracy and safety overall. I wish I knew how to get us through this.
Yep! Thank you for this. I’m a bit more conservative than you about gender, but otherwise, we are aligned. Finding people like you on Substack saying things like this is keeping me sane. A person’s right to life matters. It matters just as much as the next person’s right. But also every random person equally has a right to life and right to not die by gun violence—and their right to that is every bit as strong as a celebrity commentator. And random people also have the right to not being slandered and dehumanized and that is something a lot of people aren’t understanding in their glorification of this man. What a person does with their life and how they affect other people is far more important than how they died. Although sometimes how they died says something about the world for the rest of us and is still very important to consider and mourn, even. Your last line is gold. As Jesus said, “Put away your swords, for those who live by the sword will die by the sword.” Not sure how people are deliberately forgetting how peaceful and gentle and inclusive Jesus was. (And is, and ever will be ♥️) Jesus’ harshest words were for those who abused religion to seek power, took God’s words out of context to be cruel to people, and sacrificed him to the empire. Here we are again. Dark days…
I think part of what leads to the absolutely insane-feeling conversations is our collective inability to grasp two things as being true (in so many contexts, but currently this one).
Yes, he held and espoused absolutely abhorrent views toward many, many people, and his work contributed to the degradation of our democracy.
No, that did not mean he deserved to be assassinated, and there are people who loved him who are now grieving.
The idea that if you recognize one, you cannot also recognize the other has somehow taken root, primarily driven by political opportunists. Culturally, we need to get a lot better at holding onto two truths at the same time.
I really appreciate the way you navigated this conversation, and didn't run away from who he actually was and stood for. I have found myself startled, and disappointed in the ways that people have tried to sanitize him. I have also been frustrated and saddened at those who have gloated over his death. I think both of these things have been spurred on by the continuing crumbling of democracy and safety overall. I wish I knew how to get us through this.
Yep! Thank you for this. I’m a bit more conservative than you about gender, but otherwise, we are aligned. Finding people like you on Substack saying things like this is keeping me sane. A person’s right to life matters. It matters just as much as the next person’s right. But also every random person equally has a right to life and right to not die by gun violence—and their right to that is every bit as strong as a celebrity commentator. And random people also have the right to not being slandered and dehumanized and that is something a lot of people aren’t understanding in their glorification of this man. What a person does with their life and how they affect other people is far more important than how they died. Although sometimes how they died says something about the world for the rest of us and is still very important to consider and mourn, even. Your last line is gold. As Jesus said, “Put away your swords, for those who live by the sword will die by the sword.” Not sure how people are deliberately forgetting how peaceful and gentle and inclusive Jesus was. (And is, and ever will be ♥️) Jesus’ harshest words were for those who abused religion to seek power, took God’s words out of context to be cruel to people, and sacrificed him to the empire. Here we are again. Dark days…
With you until the Hasan Piker quote. No thanks.