Introduction
- Meme Response: A meme suggesting that friendships shouldn’t end over political differences sparked a personal response.
- Personal Perspective: For me, it’s not about the politicians themselves, but the policies and actions they represent.
The Personal Impact of Policies
- Livelihood and Values: Political policies affect my life, my children, my grandchildren, and those I care about deeply.
- Historical Racism: As a biracial woman, Trump’s long history of racist actions and comments makes it impossible for me to be friends with his supporters.
- Example of Racism: Trump’s refusal to acknowledge the innocence of the Central Park 5, despite clear evidence, highlights his enduring racist attitudes.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Personal Connections
- Family Members: I have gay and trans family members, and Trump’s policies threaten their rights and safety.
- Boundary Setting: Supporting someone who aims to harm my loved ones means you cannot be my friend. It’s about protecting my family and our values.
Unconditional Love and Acceptance
- Seeing the Whole Person: True acceptance means acknowledging all aspects of a person, including those that may cause discomfort.
- Conditional Love: Claiming not to see color or sexual orientation means you only accept parts of people, which is not true love.
- Personal Standards: I have the right to decide if your version of love and acceptance is enough for me, and often, it isn’t.
Dealing with Family Members
- Approach to Conversations: When discussing with family members who support Trump, avoid name-calling to keep them engaged.
- Biblical Standards: Use Galatians 5:22-23 (the Fruits of the Spirit) to challenge the idea that Trump embodies Christian values.
- Fruits of the Spirit: Ask supporters to identify where Trump’s actions reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as these traits are not evident in his behavior.
Conclusion
- Setting Boundaries: It’s not about disliking someone for their political views; it’s about protecting myself and my loved ones from harmful ideologies.
- Respectful Distance: We can remain respectful acquaintances, but true friendship requires alignment on fundamental values of respect, love, and protection for all.