Words not bullets. Right?! We are supposed to win arguments with reasoned words, not weapons.
Truth, reality, common sense, love, kindness, grace, open-minded, & open-heartedness. Those should be our tools and weapons.
We are working under the premise that humans beings are free to say whatever they want to say in the public square. Even if what they are saying, arguing, or promoting is hate, division, discrimination. A free & open society is supposed be tolerant of all viewpoints. We go with idea that the best ideas, the best arguments, will lead to the best outcomes. That is the implicit, foundational idea of a free Democracy. A free Democracy of Ideas.
Of course, the best ideas do not always carry the day. For proof just take a look at the current adminstration and their retrograde policies. Words like "fascist," "Nazi" and "Christian Nationalist" come to mind. And what if those arguments and ideas lead to oppression, discrimination, violence?
What if all those words and arguments are built on lies? What if the whole edifice of this MAGA movement is built on damned lies of hate & division? A nativist white supremacy that is at war with the Woke, the brown people, the black people, the liberal and tolerant?
And what if those ideas, those hurtful words are then followed up with retrograde, inhumane actions? Snatching people off the streets? Building concentration camps? Deporting people to hostile countries? Leaving them to rot in foreign prisons? Blowing up boats and killing everyone on board just because they can? Shouting down and attacking anyone who stands in opposition? Oppressing LGTQ+ folks, women, anyone not male, white or Christian?
How to tolerate the intolerant?! Aye, there's the rub. "What's so funny about Peace, Love & Understanding?" - Nick Lowe
What to do? Stand up for what you believe. Spread the good, kind words. Spread the Gospel of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion. I do believe it is the Woke Ones who have the better ideas. Good words, Good works. Love & Inclusion, the much better Ideas. Ha. Let me borrow woke-Jesus for a moment: Love & Forgiveness will set you free...
