In a world that's becoming more and more political with each passing day, it's becoming increasingly important to know where you lie on that gradient and what it all means. Democrat, Republican, Conservative, Liberal, etc. Most of us, I imagine, know where we feel comfortable within those kinds of descriptors, but it can be difficult to describe what those words mean to us as individuals and why we identify with the term we do. For example, I've been identifying as a Liberal for years at this point, and even now, I spend a lot of time thinking about what that means to me and why I so strongly identify as such. Which, if you hadn't guessed, is the point of this article: to explain what being "liberal" means to me, and perhaps, to many others.
To begin, I personally feel that the first, and most basic, definition of "liberal" (pictured above) is the best way to simply define what being liberal is all about: being open. Open to new ideas, new cultures, people, identities, and any other number of things. While that doesn't mean I have to agree with everything, I don't feel I have any right to dehumanize someone based on belief or cultural differences, which, in turn, has led me to hold very strong opinions on civil and human rights.
That feeling is likely what directed my growth into a liberal ideology in the first place. I grew up in a rural, highly-religious community where being Conservative and Republican is both the norm and what's expected. But the more I experienced that kind of community, the less okay I became with the ideals I found therein. I was raised around people who made jokes at the expense of gay men, pushed stereotypes about people of color, and other such things. I know this sounds like an unfair stereotype, and I wish that's all it was, but it's what I experienced. Once I was old enough to start formulating my own opinions (around age 12 or so), I became uncomfortable with these kinds of ideas, and like anyone does, pushed back.
I was fortunate enough to have parents that were willing to let me speak my mind, but I didn't feel so comfortable with all topics and people. I attended a local church for much of my life, especially during those developmental periods, and that's where a lot of the thoughts and opinions that didn't feel right started. But the taboo nature of turning away from religion in that kind of community kept me from being open about those opinions until after I graduated high school. I wasn't comfortable with criticism of how people live being so acceptable and I think that fueled my push away from that community and environment.
So really, my ideals are about being everything that kind of community, and that kind of America, isn't. Above all else, I want to be accepting of people and their lifestyles, and I want people to be more willing to help and be here for one another no matter what. Which, for me, includes the government. More than anything, I feel the government exists to support its people, which makes me totally okay with taxes, and increased tax rates, so long as they go to the right places (in other words, somewhere other than defense spending). Because I believe our tax dollars should go to helping the people here rather than to killing them elsewhere.
Maybe it's just the typical "bleeding heart, liberal hippie" in me, but I also feel that being liberal is partially about protecting life, both human and otherwise. I feel the protection of the environment, the planet, and those who share it with us is a necessary duty of humanity, and it's difficult for me to watch certain big name politicians discredit that idea.
What being liberal doesn't mean to me is that I want to take away people's rights (second amendment or otherwise). It doesn't mean I hate police, or white people, for that matter. And it doesn't mean hate America. Instead, I just want to see everyone, regardless of sexuality, skin color, age or identity to be treated fairly and equally. Instead, I think an abuse of power and executing such through prejudice needs to be addressed more than it is. Instead, I acknowledge that the United States isn't the country it could or should be.
To me, calling myself a Liberal means that I believe we can be better than this, and that keeping with tradition isn't always the best solution.I want to see everyone on Earth treated like they're a person rather than a thing or an idea. And by carrying these ideas, I'm extremely passionate about a great many things, and yes, I often struggle to understand why anyone would be against something that seems so simple. But no matter who you are, that doesn't mean I hate you for those beliefs. And chances are, as long as you don't go out of your way to hurt other people, I won't have any problems with you. That's what being a Liberal means to me.
