When Republican Co-Workers Brag…Smile and Remember
Until January 2025 just maintain your smile and keep your own list of Trump maga-fans. It won’t be fun, but you need to be alert and aware. Staying on guard keeps them guessing and talking.
As I sit here today, I am glad that I’m retired and do not have to face an office or a classroom full of people that I know probably voted for Trump. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but we must approach the next several months safely working against maga-Trumpian maneuvers. If we are spouting, outrage and anger, we have no time to work on solutions to the situation we are in presently.
Here’s a true scenario from election day. Our adult daughter who happens to teach fourth grade came to visit with us and our new puppy. All of us are faithful Democrats in our family. She began talking about her school, which probably has a staff of let’s say 40 teachers. There are only two Democrats in that school of mostly female teachers. Our daughter thought she was the only Democrat after listening to conversations for the last few years. A new teacher came on board recently and asked our daughter if they could speak privately, very privately. Our daughter is very, very pleasant friendly. She’s a wonderful teacher who is the kind of person that most people would feel at ease talking to—so, the the question was I’m afraid to talk to anyone on staff, but I think you’re a very kind person.
You know where this is going, don’t you? She wanted to know if our daughter was a Democrat too. So here we have two great teachers almost afraid to breathe blue or Harris for fear of being ostracized. That is the scenario I want to share. The females on staff are educated presumably, but they are all about about babies and guns. That tells you how ignorant “educated” female voters can be in a red state. I’m appalled to think middle class neighborhoods think Trump will care. They say they are “Christian” but rarely attend any church. Our daughter is retiring early at the end of this school year and will not miss these blind ladies. We are glad she has one new friend to chat with. It’s very difficult to listen to gun-toting pro-life quasi-Christians.
I asked her how has she coped so far, and she said she just stays busy with students and listens smiling at maga-ignorance. That is what I think works best for me if I return to church. I’ve stayed away to avoid wealthy professional church members who never tell you anything—but you know what they believe by subtle body language. Staying home for Covid was an escape. Frankly, I have felt less anxiety being away. Sad?
I remember a cliche “Smile and make them wonder what you’re up to” —that’s not bad advice. Do your due diligence fighting the fight for Democracy and Justice for all. Smile and exercise your happy muscles or you’ll look 20 years older quickly during the Trump Circus. I may sound naive, but I know our American women must be savvy to change the conversation and shine the light on all of the political injustices.
As I read this newsletter I realized Diane is describing exactly what it was like being a closeted gay person in very hetero "christian" environments: smile, don't say much, omit personal information, pretend you don't hear certain comments... Only now instead of sexuality the thing closeted is democracy.
My wife is so upset that she’s been crying all day in bed. Trump & his voters will pay for this.