This week, I was originally going to write something completely different than what you’ll be reading below. But today, I heard something so amazingly hypocritical I couldn’t ignore it.

I was cooling off, attempting to avoid the sweltering heat that I think may soon be the death of me, and heard some things from two people who were near enough to me that I could hear most of their conversation, as well as build most of the context necessary to understand the situation. I don’t know these people very well, but I know them well enough to make my judgments and feel that those judgments are warranted.

For some context, I was listening to one half of a Facebook comment war – which should tell you everything you need to know. From what I understand, the other side of this comment war was a Trump supporter. From where I was sitting, I could hear most of what the other person was writing (the angry exclamations were pretty tough to miss). I could also hear the plotting and planning that went into each comment in response to the Trump supporter.

The two people I had the “pleasure” of listening to are west coasters, at least one of whom attends a university out there that has an enormous liberal reputation (as if there are those that don’t). It’s one of those universities that can be used to explain someone’s views.

“Have you heard what (insert name) thinks?”

“Yeah, he/she graduated from (insert university name).”

“Ooooh, that explains it.”

Clearly, these people were angered by the simple existence of Trump supporters, and this one supporter in particular.

From what I could hear, her support of Donald Trump was rooted in legitimate reasons. I heard them chastise her for saying Trump will decrease taxes on small businesses and help keep jobs in the US by increasing pressure on corporations to stay in America. Accuracy and feasibility aside, these are legitimate reasons to support any candidate’s economic policy. And it wasn’t just that these two people were offended by her views, the sickening part was how they responded to her.

I heard them tell her that her dad was a failure for running a local Mexican restaurant that went out of business and has since reopened to give it another go. To rational people, this would actually explain her beliefs on reducing taxes for smaller businesses. I heard them tell her she should try to look better because she is “literally the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.”

I heard them get outraged at the fact that this girl tried to eat healthier by bringing carrots to class and eating them with ranch. Then, I heard them say to each other that she should stop replying to them on Facebook because she should focus all her time on trying to be less obese. Finally, I heard them say that they hope she dies from fifth degree burns from her fryer at work (please note that these responses were all personal attacks and that there was nothing substantial).

They literally wished death upon her because she has decided to support Donald Trump for President. That sort of reaction is absolutely disgusting. It’s unquestionably deplorable, and it’s wholeheartedly hypocritical.

Don’t liberals claim to be the inclusive party that will bring everyone together? Aren’t they supposed to welcome differences between people, not wish death on someone because of them?

This is an issue that’s much larger than just the situation I witnessed. It’s an indictment of many liberals I see every day. The sheer anger and disgust against Donald Trump and his supporters are the exact same things they claim to oppose in his campaign. In reality, they are acting no different. Liberals aren’t fighting against conservative tactics; they’re simply using them to push a different social agenda.

Liberals say conservatives violate women’s rights by restricting access to abortions, but is it not similar to attempt passing pro-choice laws by suppressing the voices of those who disagree?

Liberals get upset when a “religious freedom bill” allows businesses in a state to deny goods and services to same-sex couples, but then respond by attempting to deny goods and services to that entire state by boycotting them.

Why is no one ever willing to be the bigger person who listens to all, especially those they disagree with?

Fighting fire with fire doesn’t put it out, it just ensures suffocation in the inferno that follows.

If the liberals really want to promote unity, as they insist they do, maybe they should start looking inward instead of criticizing everyone else. “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Isn’t that how the saying goes?

Our path forward does not involve suppression of anyone’s voice. It involves the inclusion of everyone in a constructive debate. Fear and anger do not defeat logic and reason.

Oppression in the name of freedom is antithetical to the future we all hope to be a part of.

So, to the hypocritical liberals: if you want to preach inclusion, you first must be inclusive.