Why I Won’t Speak Up as a Liberal Anymore
Let’s not repeat 2016.
Y’all remember 2016?
We were feisty in those pre-pandemic times. We were on the horizon of the first-ever woman president, and we were lit the eff up—even if we weren’t too thrilled about Hillary. No one on my side of the aisle thought Trump would win for even a split second.
Well, as Kamala ascends to her rightful place at the helm of the democratic party, I don’t want to relive the trauma that was 2016. I still have soured relationships with family members from the aftermath of that election. It got personal—and quick. And being the blueberry in the tomato soup of my family, I have no interest in reliving that again.
I’m forging a new way forward. One where I don’t villainize my family or praise my friends. One where I listen more and react less. One where I still vote for Kamala Harris, but just a little quieter this go around.
The irony is not lost on me. Yes, I realize I’m writing about how I’m staying silent this election season, while also doing something very unsilent like writing a whole article about it.
Three weeks ago, my small family of four left our cushy liberal bubble of friends and new parents in Austin for a trip to the Jersey Shore—my hometown. Despite New Jersey’s persistent blue status…
