If you decide I am your enemy....

[LWolf]

86. Yes.

Your last line? My younger son has been telling me this since he was a teenager, and telling me that this is the reason he doesn't participate in our political process. I disagree with his choice, but it doesn't come between us. He's my son. And he's a white man.

Those in power stay in power by keeping the rest down. A big part of America's story is to pull up our bootstraps, work hard, and climb the ladder of social classes to "better" ourselves. Except that it's a myth, because there are ceilings in place to make sure that only a very few outliers are ever going to get very far.

Someone upthread said something about being tribal in nature; I've noticed that people form groups to feel secure, and that part of "feeling secure" always seems to involve seeing other groups as enemies, blatantly and subtly. Sometimes allies are like "Survivor" alliances; on the surface, for an immediate purpose, but nothing beyond that.

Here at DU, it's part of the identity to offer loyalty to one political group, while opposing the other. And I don't mean just opposing; it's considered acceptable, even laudable, to hate them, to attack them personally, to ridicule, call names, and hate, as well as opposing them politically. Yet I don't hate Republicans. I live among them, work with them, and manage to do so productively, and to see their humanity. When it comes to talking politics with them, I've found that, for most things, a slow trickle of ideas, just gently mentioning them and moving on, is more effective than a rant.

When it comes to movements to achieve change, I'll gather, march, demonstrate, and stand with anyone working to achieve positive change. I don't want to be an enemy; I want to be an ally. I'm hoping we can find a way to bridge our gaps.