Recently, I read a Scientific Americanarticle about how to convince people of your side when they won't accept facts. Its advice was to be respectful, try to see the other side, keep emotion out of it, and point out that changing our understanding of the facts does not necessarily change our worldview. All good advice. Very polite. Unfortunately, in some instances, I find it impossible to take.
For example, Tomi Lahren, a rising conservative commentator, recently went off (as she does) in her segment, Final Thoughts, on The Blaze. Mostly, she spoke about a recently deceased veteran, Alfred Haws. I was grateful for the chance to learn about a soldier who sacrificed so much for freedom and our country. Granted, I did not have even a moment to reflect on his fight for survival, the injuries he suffered, or what it might have been like to have his experiences, as Tomi barreled on (as she does). She used the opportunity to take a stab at people who were part of the Women's March.
She seems to believe that true appreciation for what this veteran went through during World War II renders you morally incapable of being part of a protest against our recently-elected president, or for women's rights. If you were in support of this sentiment, I'd like you to take a moment to consider what this logic dictates:
The women who protested for the right to vote in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? What "crybabies." Didn't they know that there had been wars? Martin Luther Kind Jr.? Crybaby. The plight of black people in 1960s America couldn't compare to what torture victims of Japanese death camps faced in World War II, could it? Everyone who marched on August 28, 1963 should have stayed home and reflected on people who'd had it worse than them, and MLKJ should never have given the, "I Have a Dream Speech" we un-woke white people praise so much (without considering his other, more controversial quotes).
Come on, now. It's just silly.
Despite the obvious logical flaws her assertion suffered, she was adamant--in fact, she was almost too adamant. She reads so aggressively and quickly, straight off her teleprompter, that, to me, her words sound almost fake. Obviously, Obama also often read off a teleprompter. There's nothing wrong with that. But while Obama's words always had a personal, honest touch, she seems simply to speak in a practiced, angry tone.
Many others noticed the same thing.
The truth is that I find it impossible not to become emotional when people like Tomi Lahren insult the Women's March. It wasn't without its flaws; I think Francesca Ramsey summed this up nicely. However, ultimately, it doesn't matter.
Be as disgusted you want; I will never stop fighting for human rights and for our earth.
As a final note, I'd like to send you to better places to support our veterans, who really have been through a lot for our country and, especially, for the people they love. In support of our veterans, at least, Tomi and I--two blonde, angry millennials--can agree.
